Influencer Backlash and 'Reading the Room'

Bhavan and Imran discuss Novita Lam's joke, public reactions, and the importance of context and compassion.

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Episode notes

The way the Iran war began has reinforced the growing feeling that the rules-based international order, which Singapore stands by and bases its foreign policy on, is under serious strain.

But could Singapore’s measured and consistent response actually be an asset in these volatile times?

In this podcast episode, Mr Mohamed Imran Mohamed Taib, founding director of Dialogue Centre, a non-profit consultancy focused on cultural and racial diversity and inclusion, and Straits Times deputy opinion editor Bhavan Jaipragas, discuss what’s at stake for Singapore’s foreign policy.

On the home front, there are concerns about how binary thinking can alienate or fracture communities here, when people choose to villainise those who disagree with them.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:30 What does the Iran war mean for S’pore?

4:15 S’pore’s consistent position is our strength: Imran

8:58 What’s stopping bigger powers from taking liberties with S’pore?

11:30 No appetite for this war in Iran

16:17 Don’t see others with different povs as “villains”

19:05 The Novita Lam controversy: “She didn’t read the room.”

24:18 It’s dangerous when people feel helpless: Imran

27:39 Get off social media, talk face-to-face

32:30 Why Parliament debates aren’t for elites consumption

Filmed by: Studio+65

Edited by: Teo Tong Kai, Eden Soh and Chen Junyi