Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

We’ve been hearing news about knife-related attacks and stabbing cases in the news in recent months. Last week, a knife attack in Hougang left one woman dead and two others, including the suspected assailant, injured. In November, the Police received a call for assistance at a church after a priest had been stabbed during mass.  What’s behind the recent spate of knife-attacks in Singapore? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Dr David Teo Choon Liang, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist and Deputy Medical Director at Connections MindHealth to find out more.   

Sports Minutes heads into the Lions Den for this episode, as we check in with Shahdan Sulaiman ahead of Singapore's match against Thailand on 17th December. Has 6 points from the opening 2 matches papered over the cracks, and could this be the 36-year old's final hurrah for the National Team? All that more on this episode! Got a story to tell? Get in touch with us! raushan@sph.com.sg

When it comes to finance, it seems like we’re watching the ultimate showdown in the form of traditional finance (TradFi) versus decentralized finance (DeFi). While TradFi represents the established banking, lending, and investing institutions we have relied on for centuries, DeFi offers a modern, blockchain-based alternative that promises accessibility, transparency, and freedom from institutional control.  Are they on a collision course, or is there a way for both to co-exist? What does it mean for investors who are looking to leverage the best of both worlds? On The Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Yap, Senior Vice President, Asset Management, Sygnumto find out more. 

Supporting the electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Singapore and beyond – that’s the agenda of our conversation as we speak to our guest CDG ENGIE.  Founded in 2021, CDG Engie, also known as ComfortDelGro ENGIE, is a joint venture between ComfortDelGro Engineering and ENGIE South East Asia, the regional subsidiary of French multinational utility company ENGIE Group.  The JV focuses on providing end to end solutions for customers in their transition towards sustainable and greener energy. So far, the company prides itself as a leading EV charging operator in Singapore with a network of over 2,700 charge points across Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.  But why are we speaking to CDG ENGIE you might ask? Well, the firm is on the charm offensive to expand its network right now, having been awarded the first public EV charger deployment contract to deploy mainly fast EV charging points across 20 sites at primarily HDB commercial complexes in June 2024.  The firm also recently celebrated its third anniversary in October and operationalised its 1000th charge point located in Serangoon on the 16th November. Beyond Singapore, CDG ENGIE is also said to have the largest cross-border roaming network in the region through strategic partnerships with industry players ChargeEV and Gentari.  To this end, a new mobile app has also been launched this year to allow users to plan ahead for road trips and calculate the necessary charging stops based on the specifications of their vehicles.  But what should we know about CDG ENGIE’s expansion plans? How does the firm navigate complexities in regional expansion given the different stages of electric vehicle adoption and infrastructure development?  On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Freddie Chew, General Manager, ComfortDelGro ENGIE.

TurtleTree is a biotech company founded in 2019, on a mission to revolutionise global nutrition through precision fermentation and cell-based technology. The company has gained global recognition for pioneering LF+®, the world’s first sustainably-produced lactoferrin, a high-value protein known for its immune-boosting and gut health benefits. By leveraging innovative technology, TurtleTree creates ethical and scalable solutions for the food and beverage industry, addressing critical challenges like supply shortages and the environmental impact of traditional dairy production. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Fengru Lin, CEO, TurtleTree to share more.   Presented by: Hongbin Jeong Produced and Edited by: Alexandra Parada (alexparada@sph.com.sg) Want to get featured on our show? Drop me an email today!

Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat once said, ‘every school is a good school.” Yet, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong himself noted during his first National Day Rally speech in August that not everyone is convinced when MOE says 'every school is a good school'. He pointed out that Singaporeans will have their own preferences and considerations for their school choices, and 'it will not be possible to convince everyone'. But what is the argument for choosing to go to a good or legacy school? Does going to a so-called 'not good' school close doors to opportunities?  Who does it matter to: parents, tutors or children? And is it time we retire this notion once and for all?  On The Hot Seat, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Emil Lim, Founder of First Principles Education and Jason Tan, Associate Professor at the National Institute of Education.  

A win is a win, but what did we learn from Singapore's AFF Championship 2-1 win over Cambodia on opening day? And will the Lions last the cause if they continue to remain toothless? Deepanraj Ganesan weighs in on Sports Minutes! Got a story to tell? Get in touch with us! raushan@sph.com.sg

Gold’s rise in 2024 has captivated investors, with prices surging from around $2,000 per ounce to new record highs. Yet, navigating gold investments has become increasingly complex. Historically considered a stable, long-term asset, gold’s recent short-term rally has prompted a surge of interest in everything from ETFs to physical bullion. But with so many options on the table, what’s the best way for investors to capture value in today’s market? Are 1-ounce gold bars a compelling alternative to larger bullion, coins, or ETFs? Or do other strategies still prevail? On The Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Gregor Gregersen, Founder, Silver Bullion Group to find out.

Singapore stocks slipped into the negative territory this morning, after China deepened its stimulus drive in a bid to brace itself for trade tensions with the United States. In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) fell 0.2 per cent to 3,803.55 points after 21.4 million securities changed hands in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have Keppel DC Real Estate Investment Trust, after its manager announced yesterday that the Reit’s non-renounceable preferential offering was about 159.9 per cent subscribed.  Elsewhere, from a quick look at developments out of China’s annual Central Economic Work Conference, to how Chip supplier Broadcom posted better-than-expected profit in the fourth quarter on the back of growing AI computing demand, more corporate and international headlines remain in focus.  Also on deck – what to watch in the US after the country’s wholesale inflation unexpectedly accelerated in November.  Plus – volatilities in South Korea as investors’ focus there turns to a second impeachment vote of President Yoon Suk Yeol planned for tomorrow. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Too Jun Cheong, Assistant Dealing Manager from Moomoo Singapore.

Mito Health is a preventive healthcare startup that leverages AI to create personalized health plans designed to improve longevity and well-being. Founded in 2023, Mito Health offers advanced health screenings that measure over 100 biomarkers, including ApoB, a key indicator of cardiovascular risk often missed in standard health checks. Based on these detailed assessments, Mito Health’s AI generates customized recommendations covering exercise, nutrition, supplements, and sleep, making proactive health management more accessible, efficient, and tailored to individual needs. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Teeming Chew, Co-Founder of Mito Health, to share more.   Presented by: Hongbin Jeong Produced and Edited by: Alexandra Parada (alexparada@sph.com.sg) Want to get featured on our show? Drop me an email today!