[Post 1254] How Southeast Asia Became Scam Hub For China-Linked Syndicates | Insight | Full Episode

Summary

There is a human trafficking crisis in Southeast Asia. The UN estimates that 120,000 people have been trafficked to scam centres in Myanmar and another 100,000 in Cambodia. Many of them are brought through the border with Thailand. The victims are often forced to work as scammers, defrauding billions of dollars from unsuspecting targets across the world. These scam syndicates have been linked to the Chinese mafia as well as local rebels in Myanmar. 

How do these scam centres operate? Who are the trafficking victims and how did they end up in this predicament? How is Thailand’s economy suffering from these trafficking networks, and what is being done to stamp them out? Insight investigates.

[Post 1253] Why Everyday Singaporeans Should Care About US Tariffs (& How It Might Affect You) | Talking Point

Summary

In April 2nd, US President Donald Trump shook global markets with a surprise move: sweeping reciprocal tariffs. Even close allies like Singapore were hit with a baseline 10% tariff — despite a long-standing Free Trade Agreement. 

Just days later, the U.S. announced a 90-day pause on the higher tariffs. While this temporary stand-down has eased tensions, the clock is ticking: the pause is set to expire in a month. What happens next is unclear — but the uncertainty is already raising concerns about the future of global trade and whether steeper tariffs could make a full return.

In this episode of Talking Point, host Diana Ser breaks down what tariffs really are — and why they matter. From the price of everyday goods to jobs and the broader economy, we unpack how U.S. tariffs could affect all of us here in Singapore.

[Post 1252] 84-hour Work Week, Low Pay: Why Malaysia’s Doctors Are Leaving | Insight | Full Episode

Summary

Malaysia’s public healthcare system is under immense strain due to the shortage of doctors and nurses. The number of healthcare professionals has not kept pace with the increasing demand for medical care. For example, the country only has 14 cardiothoracic across 7 public hospitals. The number of housemen has also plummeted by half between 2019 to 2023. The nursing shortage could hit 60% by 2030.

 

As a result, public healthcare doctors are overwhelmed and overstretched. Meanwhile, patients face prolonged wait times for treatments. Many healthcare professionals have chosen to leave the country and pursue opportunities abroad, contributing to the ongoing brain drain.

 

What has led to Malaysia’s medical staffing shortage? Can the country avert a looming healthcare crisis?

[Post 1251] Railway Network Connecting Southeast Asia For Trade, Tourism: To ASEAN & Beyond | CNA Correspondent

Summaty

In the next 20 years, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN hopes to integrate its member economies by enhancing greater connectivity. The bloc's approach is not just about physical infrastructure but also includes people-to-people links. The launch of the Laos-China Railway three and a half years ago sparked a renewed push among member states to upgrade and link their rail systems.

Laos, which is the only land-locked country in ASEAN, has benefited significantly from the Laos-China Railway. Not just in terms of trade and investment, but also for tourism which has received a much-needed boost. Malaysia, which is the chair of ASEAN this year, hopes to bring member countries on board to create a real ASEAN Rail Corridor. It wants a single transit protocol to streamline and standardise customs clearance for all goods originating from ASEAN. 

[Post 1250] This Syrian Moved To Singapore For Love: His Journey From War To HDB | On The Red Dot

Summary

Why do foreigners want to call Singapore home? And what does it truly entail to become Singaporean? For Hadi Al Saadi, who fled from war-torn Syria, Singapore is the home country of his wife and their three children who were born here, so it makes perfect sense for him to want to go from being Permanent Resident to Singapore Citizen. 

But Singapore’s reputation of being a “Fine City” has preceded it! After a five-year stay in Malaysia where he was comfortable, there were things about Singapore that took some getting used to for Hadi who moved here in 2020. 

And having left his home country at age 16, it is clear that Hadi’s booming Syrian food business is his commitment to holding on to his Syrian culture. So will Singapore be the forever home for Hadi? Can he adopt the Singaporean identity without losing his Syrian roots? Theatre and TV actress Oon Shu An, a born-and-bred Singaporean, seeks out these answers and explores this newcomer’s journey in becoming Singaporean.

[Post 1249] Fake Honey: Why It's More Common Than You Think | Talking Point | Full Episode

Summary

Golden, sweet, and natural – or is it? Honey has long been prized for its health benefits, but how much do we really know about what’s inside the jar? In this episode of Talking Point, host Steven Chia embarks on a journey to uncover the truth behind supermarket honey, testing its purity and traveling to bee farms in Australia to investigate the issue behind honey adulteration. With honey being one of the top three most adulterated food worldwide, this investigation dives deep into what’s really in your honey jar and why it matters for your health and your wallet.

[Post 1248] Chasing Viral Desserts At Jakarta’s Blok M: From Salt Bread to Cake ATM | Lunch With Us: Indonesia

Summary

Why are Jakarta’s Gen Z spending their lunch hours and weekends queueing for viral bites at the hip and trendy Blok M? Young professionals Yasmin and Niken check out some of these shops - Artirasa, Little Salt Bread and Mack’s Creamery - that are drawing FOMO crowds eager to keep up with the latest social media sensations. 

[Post 1247] Letting My 70yo Dad Try Halal Western Fusion Café Food | Lunch With Us: Singapore

Summary

In recent years, hip halal cafes have exploded onto the SIngapore scene offering a wide range of cuisines and fusion food. Gen Z food vlogger Nur Hidayah Selamat brings her 70-year-old father to check them out, as a bonding activity – but do they suit his traditional palate? Today, they hit Brunch Club on Jalan Pisang in Kampung Glam, which serves Western-Italian fare with an Asian twist. 

[Post 1246] S$6 Michelin Meals at Indian-Pakistani Hawker Stall in Tekka | Lunch With Us: Singapore

Summary

Tekka Centre in Singapore’s Little India has long been associated with good budget South Asian food. Cafe chef Rathakrishnan helps us discover the variety of regional cuisines at the heritage hawker centre.  

The highlight is the Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded Delhi Lahori, where owner Naseer Ahmed Khan has combined the tastes of India and Pakistan together in set meals that cost just S$6 (US$4.60). 

[Post 1245] Affordable Five-Star Dim Sum Tucked Away In Industrial Estate | Lunch With Us: Singapore

Summary

In the heart of a Sims Drive industrial estate is Five Star Dim Sum restaurant, where the dim sum is hand-made fresh daily in its central kitchen, concocted by its Hong Kong head chef.

The comparatively lower rentals in such estates means that F&Bs like this can keep prices affordable. Security officer Tan Tan Chin An, 72, who works in the building, has lunch there almost daily. He shares with us his favourite dishes, and what his work is like. 

[Post 1244] Gen Z Student Works Holiday Jobs To Travel, Gains A New Side Hustle & Travels For Free | Money Mind

Summary

Jaedyn Choo wanted to see the world but as a full-time student, her resources were limited. Scaling up her holiday jobs gave her a ticket to fly - and led to the start of a new and even more lucrative side hustle.

[Post 1243] Avoid Job Scams, Fake Listings: Red Flags When Looking For A Job | Money Mind | Work

Summary

These are the top red flags to look out for when you're job-hunting.

[Post 1242] Investing In ETFs For Beginners: What To Know About Fees, Timing & Diversification | Money Mind

Summary

Investing in ETFs for beginners: what you need to know about fees, timing and diversification.

[Post 1241] Will Vietnam Deepen Ties With China Because Of Trump Tariffs? | China & The Global South

Summary

China has set its sights on the Global South, and on ASEAN - the Association of Southeast Asia Nations - one of the fastest growing regions in the world. 

ASEAN’s fastest growing economy is now facing serious headwinds from Trump tariffs. As Vietnam sent a team to Washington to negotiate, China stepped up its diplomatic efforts here. Trade and investment between the 2 countries had been steadily growing despite differences in the South China Sea. Is this a new chapter in complex Vietnam-China relations? 

[Post 1240] Taiwan-style Bento Meals With Old-School Touch & Retro Vibe | Lunch With Us: Taipei

Summary

What makes Taiwan-style bento meals different from the Japanese original? And how did it become a national obsession? Literary writers Hsieh Yi An and Chu Yu Hsun take us on a retro lunch experience at Dong Yi Pork Chop in Zhongzheng District, Taipei City – a surreal old-school venue that once served as a glitzy dance hall. We chat with its 75-year-old co-founder to find out why they’ve kept their bento meals as retro as the decor. 

[Post 1239] How Trump Tariffs Hit US Allies Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan: Beyond Imports & Exports | Insight

Summary

Donald Trump's second term as President has upended trade flows, as a mercurial tariff strategy leaves trade partners and rivals guessing, 

In Asia, traditional American partners like Taiwan and South Korea are left scrambling after tariffs were announced on steel, auto parts and agricultural exports. Taiwan may also face restrictions on semiconductors. Meanwhile, Hong Kong's status as a free port did not shelter it from tariffs applied to China. And as the tit-for-tat tariffs with China escalates, in the background is the opioid crisis that had swept through America. 

As Asia grapples with an upended global trade order, Trump's tariffs may end up realigning trade in the region. China is already seeking closer ties with its East and Southeast Asian neighbours. What happens to American and Asian trading relations once Trump's tariffs truly begin to bite?

[Post 1238] USAID Out, China Aid In: Is US Foreign Policy Pushing Laos Towards China? | China & The Global South

Summary

China has set its sights on the Global South, and on ASEAN - the Association of Southeast Asia Nations - one of the fastest growing regions in the world. 

The exit of USAID in Laos has created a vacuum that is being filled by China. China is also doubling down on investments in the country - including the Lao-China railway, special economic zones, and property development projects. But is Laos overdependent on China for its economic growth? With national debt piling up, how will Laos pay China for its infrastructure project bill?

[Post 1237] Taiwan’s Karaoke Cabbie Takes Us To Comfort Food ‘Club’ | Lunch With Us: Taipei

Summary

We hop on a ride with cabbie Tu Ching-liang, 61, whose unique taxi is an entire karaoke booth. Some of his passengers have even gone viral on YouTube for crooning in his cab.  

He takes us to the old-time Drivers’ Club in Songshan District, Taipei City. It was started to service busy motorists as a lunch stop nearly 40 years ago, with meals costing as little as US$0.30. These days, foreign hostel guests are part of the clientele too. 

[Post 1236] Budget ‘Fast-Food’ Hopping In Taiwan: From Vegetarian to Pork Cheap Eats | Lunch With Us: Taipei

Summary

Fast-food Taiwanese style consists of cheap and satisfying meals that are served double-time quick. Food entrepreneur Matt Chen is our guide to the best value-for-money food in the district of Banqiao, in New Taipei City.  

We sample everything from vegetarian chicken, to pork innards, to delicious MSG-free pork ball soup simmered for 16 hours at a mere US$0.60 a bowl! And of course, we can’t forget the ubiquitous bubble tea. 

[Post 1235] China Invests Billions In Indonesia, Even As Natuna Islands Tensions Brew | China & The Global South

Summary

China has set its sights on the Global South, and on ASEAN - the Association of Southeast Asia Nations - one of the fastest growing regions in the world. 

For its next stage of economic growth, Indonesia wants to pursue “downstreaming.” China will have a key role to play in this national plan to set up battery and electric vehicle plants. But with issues in the Natuna Islands still unresolved, will it hamper Indonesia-China economic partnership?

[Post 1234] Viral Scooter Coffee Vibes: Indonesia Gen Z Travels 1,000KM To Sell Slow Bar Coffee | Money Mind

Summary

How far can you go with US$185 in your pocket? One young Indonesian’s journey took her 1,000km from home – and to a new life of being a business owner. And all, on just two wheels.