Yah Lah But

We knew this was coming, but it still surprised us when it was finally announced. DPM Lawrence Wong will be taking over as Singapore’s Prime Minister come 15th May. Are we ready for a new PM? What does this announcement mean for the timing of the upcoming General Elections? Elsewhere, authorities announced that all employers must institute a process for workers to make formal requests for flexible work arrangements from December onwards. Does this move the needle on employment welfare, or is it just a grand wayang?

(00:00) On this episode...
(00:30) A Message From foodpanda
(01:30) Intro
(01:48) Lawrence Wong to Take Over PM Lee in May
(41:16) Companies Must Allow Workers to Request Flexi Work Arrangements
(57:47) One Shiok Comment
(01:02:14) One Shiok Thing

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Lawrence Wong to Take Over PM Lee in May

• Lawrence Wong to take over from Lee Hsien Loong as prime minister on May 15: PMO
• ‘Quiet wisdom and a steady hand’: Tributes pour in for outgoing PM Lee
• Business as usual at DPM Wong’s MPS in Limbang, following handover announcement
• Commentary: Lawrence Wong's priorities as new Singapore Prime Minister and the two key milestones to watch
• PM Lee to stay on as Senior Minister; any major Cabinet changes will come after GE: Lawrence Wong
• Commentary: The art of listening to the people and being a little 'deaf' sometimes - CNA

Companies Must Allow Workers to Request Flexi Work Arrangements

• All employers must have process for workers to request flexible work arrangements from December
• [2023] Flexible work arrangements a key focus of Singapore’s new workers compact: Labour chief Ng Chee Meng

One Shiok Comment

• Comment by butthenhor
• Comment by junglejimbo88

One Shiok Thing

• Caitlin Clark 2023 NCAA tournament highlights
• Here's How Ray Allen Teaches Jump Shooting

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Edited and mixed by Tristen Yeak

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This past weekend, Iran launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, supposedly in response to an earlier act of aggression on the Iranian consulate in Syria. The international response has been swift to condemn the attack, but also cautious in support for an Israeli counter strike. Why so? Also, it was announced that the Pope will be visiting our shores come September, the latest feather in the cap for Singapore’s standing as an international events hub. What can we expect from this historic papal visit?

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Iran Attacks Israel

• Iran launches missiles and drones at Israel, its first-ever direct attack on Israeli territory 
• Singapore condemns Iran's aerial attacks on Israel, deeply concerned about 'volatile situation' in Middle East
• Middle East crisis: visual guide to Iran’s attack on Israel
• World leaders urge restraint in aftermath of Iran attack on Israel – what we know so far
• How Iran-backed militant groups are widening the Israel-Hamas war - CNA
• 3 top Iranian commanders reported killed in Israeli strike in Syria | The Straits Times
• Why Israel’s attack on Iranian consulate in Syria was a gamechanger | Israel | The Guardian

Pope to Visit Singapore

• Pope Francis to visit Singapore in September - TODAY
• Edwin Tong 'looks forward' to showing Pope Francis S'porean 'hospitality, diversity & harmony'

One Shiok Comment

• Comment by shogunMJ
• Comments on ep513

One Shiok Thing

• Tales From the Eclipse — Wait But Why
• 13 Hours in Singapore Airlines First Class Suite (London to Singapore)

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This week, some local writers voiced their objections to the Infocomm Media Development Authority’s (IMDA) plans to build a South-east Asia-focused large language model (LLM), even though a consultation via a survey within the local writing community is still ongoing. Why the outrage over this seemingly innocuous survey? Elsewhere, it was revealed that Singapore’s last trishaw operator had halted tours as early as last year, due to the unavailability of a site to store the trishaws. Are we about to lose this piece of Singapore transport history?

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Our Sponsor: Echelon X

• This episode is brought to you by Echelon X in partnership with e27
• Echelon X is happening 15-16 May 2024 at the Singapore expo, and it’ll be an epic event focused on tech & startups around Southeast Asia
• Get your free starter pass by using the code “FOLKLORY” when getting your discounted tickets at this link
• We’ll have a booth, so hope to see you there!

Writers Object to IMDA Using Their Works to Train AI

• Singaporean writers object to IMDA using their works to train a large language model
• $70m S’pore AI initiative to develop first large language model with South-east Asian context
• IMDA’s Preliminary Survey on Gen AI Research
• Opinion: IMDA Must Uphold Authors’ and Publishers’ Intellectual Property Rights — Singapore Unbound
• Books3 dataset, used to train AI, contains works stolen from Singaporean authors
• Pulitzer-winning authors join OpenAI, Microsoft copyright lawsuit | Reuters
• New York Times denies OpenAI's 'hacking' claim in copyright fight | Reuters
• SEA-LION - AI Singapore
• A.I. is B.S. | Adam Conover
• The Cyberattack Stopped by a Microsoft Engineer Was Scarier Than We Realize

No More Trishaws for Singapore?

• No more trishaw rides in Singapore after last licensed operator ceased tours mid-2023

One Shiok Comment

• Comments on YLB511 feat Min Desmond Lee

One Shiok Thing

• I made a song entirely from artists singing "yeah"
• Civil War | Official Trailer

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Chairs from @ergotunechair

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Terence Lee, Editor-in-chief at Tech in Asia joins us to share his journey of being in the tech scene for so long, and now leading one of the most influential tech publications in Asia. And which covers stories so incisive they often receive cease-and-desist letters. He also was instrumental in getting his team to cover our story of being screwed over by HOOQ, which was published in Mar 2023. Terence gives us a peek into what it’s like, the challenges of investigating startups, and what keeps him and his team going.

(00:00) On this episode
(00:32) Intro
(09:15) A good sense of bullshit & what makes a good company
(16:48) What drives the people behind TIA
(23:53) That Harsh Dalal story, and the discomfort around it
(33:35) Push back for TIA when investigating companies
(36:10) How TIA screwed up way back
(40:25) Letters of demand sent to TIA
(01:06:17) One Shiok Thing

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References

• Filmmakers trapped in HOOQ's nightmarish liquidation: Show us the money
• Terence Lee’s post on our HOOQ situation

One Shiok Thing

• Real Madrid Legends vs Porto Legends: Zidane Amazing Skills
• Torres and Gerrard link-up in comeback win | Liverpool Legends 4-2 Ajax
• 3 Body Problem | Official Trailer

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• Tech in Asia
• Terence Lee on LinkedIn

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Edited and mixed by Tristen Yeak

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Minister Desmond Lee has been serving at the Ministry of National Development since 2013, taking over as Minister in 2020. He joins us to discuss some important questions about housing affordability and accessibility, the broader social significance of housing, and whether expectations for housing are being set too high.

(00:00) On this episode
(00:24) Intro
(01:50) Current Housing Climate in Singapore
(23:39) Minister Desmond Lee's Philosophy Towards Home-Owning
(27:16) Keeping Appreciating Housing Prices in Check
(33:21) Balancing Investor & Global Interests
(37:21) Do Grants Foster Unrealistic Expectations Toward Housing Prices?
(49:50) Why Not Put More Restrictions on Reselling?
(54:00) Should Home Ownership Stop Being the Ideal?
(57:36) Why Do Citizens Still Feel Unsatisfied About Housing Policies?
(01:04:27) Misconceptions About Housing
(01:14:24) Could the Home Buying Process Be Simplified More?
(01:24:33) Planning Ahead for Future Generations (Long Island)
(01:28:14) One Shiok Thing

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Our Sponsor: Ministry for National Development!

This episode is brought to you in partnership with Ministry for National Development. For more info on what we discussed, here are some important links: 

• Draft Master Plan 2025
• MND’s website
• HDB’s website
• New BTO classification

One Shiok Thing

• POKÉMON Detective Pikachu - Official Trailer
• Jon Stewart Deconstructs Trump’s "Victimless" $450 Million Fraud
• Passion Wave
  
  

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Edited and mixed by Tristen Yeak

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We got comedian Sharul Channa in to talk about her upcoming hour-long standup performances and to contribute her thoughts on some hot topics. Last week, the Ministry of Home Affairs explained the bill tabled to grant more powers to the police to apprehend suspects with mental disorders, but mental health experts are concerned it’s too heavy handed. Elsewhere, a man confronted a nearby mosque for having too much “noise”, but is it fair for him to do that?

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Watch Sharul Live!

• Get tickets to Sharul’s show on 3 - 7 Apr 2024 by clicking here!
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MHA Explains More Power for Police to Arrest Mentally Ill Suspects

• MHA clarifies proposal to give police more power to apprehend mentally ill suspects; mental health experts concerned
• Bill tabled to set out how police can arrest mentally disordered suspects, criminalise misuse of SIM cards
• [Jan 2023] an awarded $20,000 in damages for being wrongfully imprisoned
• [Feb 2023] overnment has concerns about court judgement on wrongful arrest, will consider filing appeal: Shanmugam 
• [Aug 2022] People with mental disorders likelier to be criminals? IMH doctor debunks myth, talks about forensic psychiatry work
• Police probe alleged assault at Marina Bay Sands in incident where drag performer tells of 'homophobic' slur
• Drag queen & friend allegedly subjected to homophobic slurs, harassed & assaulted by 8 men at MBS
• Explainer: Why voluntarily causing hurt is not an arrestable offence and how victims can seek recourse

Man Confronts Mosque About “Noise” & man confronts mosque about “noise”

• 'You all need to be considerate': Man in S'pore allegedly confronts mosque to complain about prayer 'noise'

One Shiok Thing

• Komala Vilas – Excite your Palate! Authentic & Traditional Indian Vegetarian Cuisines
• Georgene Loh on YouTube

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Chairs from @ergotunechair

Desk from @castlerysg

Edited and mixed by Tristen Yeak

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

Sudhir joins us once again to share the first-hand experience of getting POFMA-ed after his company, Jom Media, received the notice in 2023. He also shares his thoughts on the local political scene, his excitement for the upcoming election as well as why “slow journalism” is important for issues like the Israel-Gaza conflict. He also shares a peek into 2 long-form pieces his team is publishing on what’s happening in the middle east. And not to forget the topics of Pritam, Iswaran & the latest video by President Tharman.

(00:00) On this episode
(00:24) Intro
(02:16) What it Feels Like to Get POFMA'd
(24:13) Researching Israel-Hamas
(36:06) Takedown of the Israeli Embassy's Post
(44:08) Jom and the General Elections
(59:03) Are Politicians Becoming Influencers?
(01:27:17) One Shiok Thing

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Folklory

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References

• POFMA fail: the end of our journey, by Jom Media

One Shiok Thing

• DAVE THE DIVER | Official Launch Trailer
• Basecamp: REWORK — the New York Times bestselling book about business
• La Luna The Movie | Official Trailer

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Edited and mixed by Tristen Yeak

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This week, authorities ordered the Israel Embassy in Singapore to take down a social media post that compared mentions of Israel and Palestine in the Quran. Ministers Shanmugam and Vivian Balakrishnan also issued strongly-worded statements in separate interviews explaining the severity of the issue. We look into their statements to understand why they felt these moves were necessary. Elsewhere, former transport minister S. Iswaran was slapped with 8 new charges that allege he had obtained, as a public servant, valuable items worth nearly $19,000. It’s a long list of wines, whiskies, golf clubs, and a titanium Brompton bicycle that costs almost $8,000! We look deeper into the list to try and understand the rationale behind accepting these gifts.

(00:00) On this episode...
(00:20) A message from Folklory
(01:37) Intro
(07:42) Singapore Orders Takedown of Israel Embassy Post
(29:59) Iswaran Slapped With Additional Charges
(58:33) One Shiok Comment
(01:03:49) One Shiok Thing

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Singapore Orders Takedown of Israel Embassy Post

• Israel embassy’s post on Palestine ‘unacceptable’, risks undermining harmony in S’pore: Shanmugam
• Vivian Balakrishnan meets Netanyahu, tells Israeli leaders military actions in Gaza have 'gone too far'
• FB Post by Masagos Zulkifli
• Govt tells Israeli embassy to remove Facebook post that was an 'astonishing attempt to rewrite history', says Shanmugam
• Singapore Orders Israeli Embassy to Delete ‘Inappropriate’ Social Post About ‘Palestine’ | TIME

Iswaran Slapped With Additional Charges

• Whisky, golf clubs, Brompton bike: What Iswaran is accused of obtaining in his 8 new charges
• Iswaran's case: A timeline of events from graft probe, resignation and new charges
• CPIB Statement: Additional Charges for S Iswaran
• Who is Lum Kok Seng, the man named in Iswaran’s new charges?
• [Jul 2023] Iswaran’s Cycling Video
• Brompton T Line Bicycle website
• Albert Bichot website
• Gordon & MacPhail website
• Honma Golf website
• Scotty Cameron Phantom website

One Shiok Comment

• Comment by Original Goat 1
• Comment by nyetkatt

One Shiok Thing

• Conan O'Brien Must Go | Official Trailer
• FULL SEGMENT – The Rock blasts Rhodes and Rollins in a Rock Concert: March 15, 2024

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Edited and mixed by Tristen Yeak

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The World Happiness Report 2024 placed Singapore as the 30th happiest country in the world, which made it the top in Asia. Some online commentators were incredulous at the ranking, but is there more to the results than meets the eye? Elsewhere, a Kampong Glam bazaar food vendor was caught in a public dispute with a customer who posted a bad review of their fries. Is the customer always right, or does the vendor have a point?

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Is Singapore REALLY the Happiest Asian Country?

• Singapore falls 5 spots to 30th in world happiness ranking but still tops Asia for 2nd straight year
• Singapore is the happiest country in Asia: World Happiness Report 2024
• Research finds countries that focus the most on happiness can end up making people feel worse
• The World Happiness Report Homepage
• Understanding How Gallup Uses the Cantril Scale
• World Happiness Report 2024
• Singapore ranked 25th happiest country in the world by UN but some raise doubts over results

Kampong Glam Bazaar Stall Spars with Customer Over Review

• 'Just embarrassing': Kampong Glam bazaar food vendor under fire for 'passive-aggressive' responses to food review
• Too frank? Food vendor clashes with TikTok users over ‘brutally honest’ review, says feedback should be given directly

One Shiok Comment

• Comment by Old_Baseball_239
• Comment by louislim6530

One Shiok Thing

• SINGAPORE VS CHINA｜ World Cup Asian Qualifiers
• Tom Merrick YouTube

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Edited and mixed by Tristen Yeak

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On Tuesday, WP chief Pritam Singh was charged with lying to Parliament over Raeesah Khan’s case from 2021. While he has pleaded not guilty, what is the political significance of these charges, especially in the lead up to the next General Elections? Elsewhere, a Reddit post ranting about work culture in Singapore has triggered a flurry of both supportive and dismissive comments. Why did this issue polarise online opinion?

(00:00) A message from Folklory
(01:05) Intro
(04:17) WP’s Pritam Singh Charged with Lying
(39:17) Debate About Singapore Work Culture
(01:02:54) One Shiok Comment
(01:05:21) One Shiok Thing

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WP’s Pritam Singh Charged with Lying

• WP chief Pritam Singh charged with lying to Parliament over Raeesah Khan’s case, pleads not guilty
• SPF | AGC-SPF Joint Statement On Completion Of Investigations Into Conduct Before The Committee Of Privileges
• Pritam Singh charged with lying to parliamentary committee: A timeline of events
• As it happened: Pritam Singh pleads not guilty to charges of lying to parliament committee over Raeesah Khan’s case
• Pritam Singh to continue all parliamentary, town council duties until legal process comes to 'complete close'
• PAP will not seek Pritam Singh's suspension from parliament while legal proceedings are ongoing - CNA
• Former minister Iswaran returns to Singapore, surrenders passport: AGC
• [Feb 2022] Sylvia Lim's notes from WP meeting damaging to Pritam Singh's testimony: COP
• [Feb 2022] Sylvia Lim says her handwritten notes back Pritam Singh's position, contrary to privileges committee's finding
• [Feb 2022] Committee of Privileges 'satisfied' Workers' Party leaders lied while testifying under oath
• [May 2022] MPs fined at least S$10,000 to be disqualified after Parliament passes changes to raise quantum from S$2,000

Debate About Singapore Work Culture

• 'Is it just me going crazy?' Junior employee in Singapore questions culture of working 44 hours a week
• [Oct 2023] Fresh graduate’s rant about first 9 to 5 job resonates with netizens

One Shiok Comment

• Comment by Apprehensive_Nail971
• Comment by Chan-bc6oz

One Shiok Thing

• Digital Defense - your guide to securing your digital life and protecting your privacy 
• Physical: 100 Season 2 - Underground | Official Trailer | Netflix

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Edited and mixed by Tristen Yeak

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