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News Beat
đď¸ Plan B Media â Where conversations that matter come alive.
Join us on the Plan B Podcast as we break down the weekâs biggest news, ask the hard questions, and spark real talk that goes beyond headlines.
Follow our conversations on Instagram, Threads, Facebook and Telegram (@planb.sg) , or dive deeper at www.planb.sg
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đĽ Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@planbmediasg
Join us on the Plan B Podcast as we break down the weekâs biggest news, ask the hard questions, and spark real talk that goes beyond headlines.
Follow our conversations on Instagram, Threads, Facebook and Telegram (@planb.sg) , or dive deeper at www.planb.sg
.
đĽ Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@planbmediasg
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 2, 2025 ⢠20min
#819 Are Singaporeâs canteen vendors going extinct?
The Ministry of Educationâs recent move to adopt central kitchen models in school canteens has stirred fears among vendors worried about their livelihoods. But Rayner from Hearty Green Vegetables - famous for introducing Japanâs school bento culture to Singapore - sees things differently. Despite admitting that daily revenue can dip to just $100â200, he revealed his âsecretsâ for staying relevant and motivated in a changing landscape.(01:25) Say hi to Rayner from Hearty Green Vegetales!(04:30) What is âclean food?â(10:45) MOMâs switch to central kitchen model(14:45) Raynerâs exit plan(18:00) Balancing passion and practicality in careers

Sep 25, 2025 ⢠20min
#818 So, when will Singapore recognise Palestine?
UK, Canada, Portugal have recognised Palestine. But what about Singapore? In Parliament this week, Foreign Minister Balakrishnan finally set out our position â and it comes with strings attached. But hereâs the real question: even if Singapore does recognise Palestine, will it matter at all, when international law is already being trampled on everywhere?(02:10) Whatâs happening in Parliament?(09:30) Will the recognition of Palestine change anything?(12:00) Palestine shouldnât be a Malay-Muslim issue(15:25) The global order faces chaos

Sep 18, 2025 ⢠18min
#817: âCharlie Kirk Assassinated: Could It Happen in Singapore?"
Conservative podcaster Charlie Kirkâs assassination highlights how political discourse in the US has turned increasingly intolerant. Could Singapore face a similar future? Unlikely â not because weâre more accepting of extremism but because our laws swiftly curb such speech. Still, as the world grows darker, one question remains: what future are we heading toward?(00:30) Charlie Kirkâs assassination(02:50) Different forms of radicalisation(07:54) âFree speechâ in Singapore(11:05) Worldâs response to Kirkâs death(13:23) Future of the world(16:05) Our Surabaya trip

Sep 11, 2025 ⢠14min
#816 "Expats need to respect Singaporean culture before living here."
Singaporeâs Parliament has just opened with President Tharman pushing a bold âWe Firstâ agenda. But what does this mean for a society already known for its competitive edge? On this episode, we question whether systems like PSLE and university admissions clash with the spirit of collective progress, to debating viral flashpoints like the GoJek driver blasting music. We dive deep into the tensions between locals and migrants, the struggles of service workers trying to keep their dignity, and what it all says about where Singapore is headed.[0:40] Opening of 15th Parliament with a "Expats need to respect singaporean culture before living here" mindset[7:50] Gojek driver blasting music[9:58] Understanding Singaporean culture[13:06] Struggles of service industry workers

Sep 4, 2025 ⢠25min
#815 âWeâre going to be the laughing stock of the worldâ
Recently, Singapore grabbed international headlines â but not for the right reasons. What began as the cancellation of American comedian Sammy Obeidâs show quickly escalated into a messy clash with the Singapore government, culminating in a POFMA order. Was Obeid simply chasing attention, or did the government make things worse by doubling down and fanning the flames?(02:57) Heartwarming efforts to search for 11-year-old boy(09:15) Indonesian riots(13:15) Southeast Asians sending food and aid via Grab(16:22) Anti-Chinese sentiment in Indonesia?(21:21) Sammy Obeid saga

Aug 28, 2025 ⢠21min
#814 â70-80% of bullying behaviour come from the home settingâ
Shocking recordings of Primary 3 students threatening âI might dissect her into piecesâ and âkill you and your husbandâ have rattled Singapore, raising fears about bullying among children. We get to the heart of the problem with Senior Clinical Psychologist Muhammad Haikal, who says bullying can affect anyone, but a childâs home environment is often the biggest contributor to such behaviour.(01:50) Say hello to Muhammad Haikal, Senior Clinical Psychologist! (05:10) Why do children become bullies?(08:20) Do certain household environments contribute to bullying?(12:15) Gentle parenting(14:28) Ways schools should deal with bullying

Aug 25, 2025 ⢠27min
#813 âIf you piss off a Singaporean, youâre pissing off a Malaysian as wellâ
Syed Saddiq has closer ties to Singapore than many realise. A brief stint at NUSâs Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy gave him a deep respect for Singaporeâs founding father - especially regarding Malaysia-Singapore relations. With the RTS line set to strengthen connections, Saddiq sees plenty of ways the two countries can complement each other⌠but what exactly are they?(02:00) Say hello to Syed Saddiq!(04:44) Grit to continue being a politician(14:25) Saddiqâs plan to change Malaysiaâs system(19:45) Young people not loyal to a single party?(26:40) Modern politics turning off older voters(30:25) The future of Malaysia(40:40) Sentiment of JohoriansWatch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/446GgVlu0fE

Aug 21, 2025 ⢠25min
#812 âAI is the next asatizahâ
Many found this yearâs National Day Rally a little boring â but two announcements stood out: the new Singapore College of Islamic Studies and the looming threat of AI on jobs. PM Lawrence Wong insists Singaporeans will remain the priority. But can they really, when it seems AI might even replace our asatizah in the future?(00:30) National Day Rally 2025(08:18) Treat of AI for jobs(09:55) Vaping crackdown(14:30) Plans for Northern Singapore(20:20) âWe Firstâ mindset

Aug 14, 2025 ⢠19min
#811 âIf it happens to someone who doesnât make it viral, itâll just get buried underneath the paperworksâ
Mr Liang Siah went viral after complaining about being wrongly charged by GetGo for car damage he didnât cause. While GetGo eventually settled the case and offered compensation, the question lingers: Was it only because the video went viral? In todayâs ep, we put Deyao Ang, GetGoâs Chief Community Officer, in the hot seat alongside Liang Siah to discuss the controversyâand most importantly, will Mr Liang continue using GetGo?(02:10) The viral GetGo video by Mr Liang Siah(05:00) GetGoâs response(12:11) Should the driver be held responsible for failing to check properly?(17:23) The problems with car-sharing companies these days(21:00) Dealing with large number of cases(26:00) A small scratch can cost $1000?!

Aug 7, 2025 ⢠30min
#810 Is it time to declassify bees as pest?
They sting and look scary so itâs no wonder bees get labelled as pests in Singapore. But according to Clarence and Eugene from Sundowner Bee Rescue, the real problem isnât the bees â itâs how we deal with them. Shockingly, only 3 Town Councils had taken active steps to protect them. With most Singaporeans still unsure of how to handle bee encounters, the question is: where can we do better, and what does responsible bee care really look like?(02:37) Say hello to Clarence and Eugene from Sundowner Bee Rescue!(03:53) How they avoid bee stings(10:30) Exploring the beeâs nest(16:45) Dealing with bees as a HDB dweller(20:00) Are wasps dangerous?(25:45) How we can improve care for beesFull video now on Youtube: https://youtu.be/QrJd1L2KoH8


