Asian Insider

Why It Matters Episode 5 Duration: 8:36 mins Synopsis: In this new podcast series for 2018, The Straits Times takes a close look at one key news talking point each week. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has already announced that his government intends to scrap the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore high-speed rail (HSR), in a move to control government spending and reduce the nation's RM1 trillion (S$337 billion) debt burden. The Mahathir administration said that the cost of building the line, at RM110 billion (S$37 billion), is prohibitive considering the state of Malaysia's finances. The Singapore Government has said it is continuing to incur costs on the High-Speed Rail (HSR) project while it awaits clarification from Malaysia regarding its intention to scrap the HSR. The 350km rail link was expected to cut travel time between the two cities from four hours by car currently to 90 minutes when completed in 2026. Should Malaysia cancel the project, Singapore will study the implications and exercise its rights - including any right to compensation for expenses - in accordance with the terms of a bilateral agreement signed in 2016. Host and ST's deputy news editor Jeremy Au Yong dissects the issue with ST's deputy political editor Royston Sim and transport correspondent Adrian Lim. Produced by: Jeremy Au Yong & Ernest Luis Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg   Download ST & BT podcasts for offline listening: http://str.sg/stbtpodcasts   On website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts   On Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2PwZCYU   On iTunes: https://apple.co/2Lu4rPP   On Google podcasts: http://str.sg/googlestbt See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why It Matters Episode 4 Duration: 9:40 mins Synopsis: In this new podcast series for 2018, The Straits Times takes a close look at one key news talking point each week. The issue of Singapore's top schools becoming closed circles instead of social levellers has again come under scrutiny after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong highlighted the problem of stratification in Parliament recently. Host and ST's deputy news editor Jeremy Au Yong dissects the issue with ST's senior education correspondent Sandra Davie. Produced by: Jeremy Au Yong & Ernest Luis Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg   Download ST & BT podcasts for offline listening: http://str.sg/stbtpodcasts   On website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts   On Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2PwZCYU   On iTunes: https://apple.co/2Lu4rPP   On Google podcasts: http://str.sg/googlestbt See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why It Matters  Episode 3  Duration: 10:30 mins    Synopsis: In this new podcast series for 2018, The Straits Times takes a close look at one key news talking point each week.    Recent remarks from National Development Minister Lawrence Wong that the Government is looking into the ageing Housing Board flat lease issue have been mostly welcomed by observers of the housing and property scene here in Singapore. This, even as as concerns remain over the fate of older flats. What could be the possible scenarios and solutions to consider, for both the Government and Singaporeans? Are there more ideas being explored?   Host and ST's deputy news editor Jeremy Au Yong dissects the issue with ST's political correspondent Ng Jun Sen and housing correspondent Grace Leong.   Produced by: Jeremy Au Yong & Ernest Luis   Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg   Download ST & BT podcasts for offline listening: http://str.sg/stbtpodcasts   On website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts   On Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2PwZCYU   On iTunes: https://apple.co/2Lu4rPP   On Google podcasts: http://str.sg/googlestbt See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why It Matters Episode 2 Duration: 10:45 mins Synopsis: In this new podcast series for 2018, The Straits Times takes a close look at one key news talking point each week.   US President Donald Trump is to meet North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore on June 12 for a historic meeting. But with recent North Korean threats to cancel the summit if Washington seeks to push Pyongyang into giving up its nuclear arsenal, will the meeting still happen and what are the possible venues?   Host and ST's deputy news editor Jeremy Au Yong dissects the issue with ST's foreign editor Zakir Hussain and senior aviation correspondent Karamjit Kaur.   Produced by: Jeremy Au Yong & Ernest Luis   Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg   Download ST & BT podcasts for offline listening: http://str.sg/stbtpodcasts   On website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts   On Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2PwZCYU   On iTunes: https://apple.co/2Lu4rPP   On Google podcasts: http://str.sg/googlestbt See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why It Matters  Episode 1  Duration: 9:10 mins  Synopsis: In this new podcast series for 2018, The Straits Times takes a close look at one key news talking point each week.   In the wake of two fatal accidents in April 2018, the Land Transport Authority has decided - where feasible - to replace discretionary right turns with red-amber-green arrow lights at the bulk of road junctions in Singapore.    Host and ST's deputy news editor Jeremy Au Yong dissects the issue with ST transport correspondent Adrian Lim.   Produced by: Jeremy Au Yong & Ernest Luis   Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg   Download ST & BT podcasts for offline listening: http://str.sg/stbtpodcasts   On website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts   On Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2PwZCYU   On iTunes: https://apple.co/2Lu4rPP   On Google podcasts: http://str.sg/googlestbt See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.