Deep Dive

With Singapore's beverage container return scheme (BCRS) now underway, the next few months will test how well consumers, retailers and producers adapt to the new refundable deposit system. Will a 10-cent refund be enough to change recycling habits, or will convenience and confusion get in the way? Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang speak with Stephanie Yip, chief executive officer of scheme operator BCRS Ltd, and Lionel Dorai, executive director of ZeroWaste SG, to unpack the mechanics of the scheme and how it could foster a broader culture of waste awareness.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Debbie Yong, a restaurant industry watcher and brand strategist, and Mustaffa Kamal, co-founder of The Black Hole Group and seasoned F&B operator, discuss Singapore’s tough dining landscape. They explore operational complexity, rent pressures and market crowding. Conversations cover industry cycles, under-capitalisation, innovation to stay relevant and what meaningful support for local brands could look like.

AI is already transforming the classroom by reshaping the way students learn and teachers teach. But as AI becomes more powerful, how do we protect space for original thought and creative thinking? Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang sit down with Senior Minister of State for Education Janil Puthucheary to unpack AI's role in the classroom, and how the recent merger of SkillsFuture and Workforce Singapore will better align training with future job needs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The war in Iran has sent shockwaves through global energy markets, leaving nations scrambling to secure their oil and gas reserves. For Singapore - which generates 95% of its electricity using imported natural gas - the timing couldn't be more critical. In the race to become an AI hub, our power demands are skyrocketing. How do we keep the lights on and feed our AI ambitions without derailing our 2050 net-zero emission goals? Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang sit down with Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science & Technology, Dr Tan See Leng, to find out if Singapore has what it takes to power through.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Crow shooting is set to resume after an increasing number of reported crow attacks, highlighting the ongoing tension between humans and wildlife. If Singapore wants to be a City in Nature, what needs to change so that people and animals can co-exist peacefully? Tiffany Ang and Steven Chia unpack the issue with Soh Ze Bin from the National Parks Board and Kalai Vanan Balakrishnan from ACRES in this week’s Deep Dive podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The joint attack against Iran by the United States and Israel has sent shockwaves across the Middle East and the rest of the world. Why did they decide on military action and how is Iran going to respond? How could the war impact the global economy? Tiffany Ang speaks with Dr Jean-Loup Samaan from the Middle East Institute at the National University of Singapore and Eddy Loh from Maybank on what US President Donald Trump hopes to achieve and the ripple effect on fuel and shipping prices. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Where does your five-cent plastic bag charge actually go? Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang unpack Singapore's supermarket carrier bag fee after reports that some retailers used the proceeds for business operations. Cheang Kok Chung from the Singapore Environment Council and Professor Lawrence Loh from NUS Business School join this week’s Deep Dive podcast to talk about what "green" spending should look like and how transparency shapes public trust in Singapore's green efforts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This year’s Budget placed a strong emphasis on jobs and AI, with the government identifying key sectors to propel the economy forward. But can workers keep pace with the shifting dynamics? In this week’s Deep Dive, Acting Minister for Transport and Senior Minister of State for Finance Jeffrey Siow sits down with Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang to discuss preparing Singaporeans for AI and what lies ahead. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jobs and AI took centre stage in this year’s Budget, with the government committing significant resources to ensure no Singaporean is left behind. What are the concrete steps to propel Singapore forward and can they help build a truly “we first” society? Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang sit down with Associate Professor Walter Theseira from the Singapore University of Social Sciences and Dr Reuben Ng from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy to unpack the plans and implications of Budget 2026.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong will deliver his speech for Budget 2026 on Feb 12, addressing key concerns from cost of living to remaining competitive in a tough labour market. In this week's Deep Dive episode, Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang sit down with final-year undergraduate Shaza Daliela Rahmat and business owner Beatrice Liu to discuss their hopes for this year’s Budget.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.