Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

Recently, alarming reports about massage-related incidents in Thailand have sparked widespread concern. In just one weekend, two tragic cases emerged: a Singaporean man who passed away following a massage in Phuket and a Thai singer who died after undergoing a neck-twisting massage. These incidents have raised pressing questions about the safety of certain massage techniques and whether they could pose hidden risks. On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Dr. Cheryl, Chiropractor at Live Well Chiropractic, to shed light on what we need to know about massage safety and the precautions everyone should take.

Some analysts say the US dollar will stay stronger for longer. Does that mean this will put more pressure on Asian currencies? Already, investors have ramped up short bets on Asian currencies on growing concerns that US President-elect Donald Trump’s economic policies will erode the appeal of risk-sensitive emerging market assets. So how can forex traders mitigate the risks of a stronger greenback? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Peter Chia, Senior FX Strategist at UOB, to find out more.

Blood is redefining menstrual care by addressing the lack of high-performing, body-safe, and sustainable solutions. Guided by the belief that periods shouldn’t compromise life, Blood creates innovative products to make cycles stress-free and empowering. By focusing on product innovation and material science, Blood bridges the gap left by conventional products that prioritise convenience over health and sustainability. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Caleb Leow, Co-Founder of Blood, 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!

Ever clicked into an online website only to see a pop-up that writes “verify you are human”? If you’ve scrutinised the pop-up, chances are, you might find a logo at the side that says “Cloudflare”.  And if you have found the logo – then bingo – you’ve already been introduced to our guest for today.  Founded in 2009, Cloudflare is a leading connectivity cloud company listed on the New York Stock Exchange. While it offers security solutions like popups to verify human users, its business spans way beyond that.  The firm said it empowers users to make their employees, applications and networks faster and more secure everywhere while reducing complexity and cost. That’s through its suite of cloud-native products and developer tools for companies to develop and accelerate their businesses.  Cloudflare had in November 2024 forecasted fourth quarter revenue of between US$451 million and US$452 million, lower than the analysts’ average estimate of US$455.7 million based on data compiled by LSEG.  The expectations came amid intensifying competition among cloud and cybersecurity players and as enterprises dial back on expenditures as they look to an uncertain global economy.  But how does the firm assess its current operating environment and what does the road ahead look like for it? On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Ben Munroe, Vice-President of Marketing, Asia Pacific at Cloudflare.

A new era begins in Syria. Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian president who inherited power in 2000 with promises of reform, only to brutally suppress his opponents in a war that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, has been toppled in a lightning rebel advance. But the future of Syria remains uncertain. How will the fall of Assad change the fate of the country? Who will be able to unite Syrians? Hongbin Jeong speaks with Cedomir Nestorovic, Professor of Geopolitics, ESSEC Business School, Asia-Pacific to find out more.   

After a week of political twists and turns in South Korea, President Yoon Suk Yeol survived an impeachment attempt over the weekend, triggered by his controversial and brief push to impose martial law. The South Korean legislature, the National Assembly, failed to impeach Yoon after all but three members of his People Power Party boycotted the vote. But the opposition is now pledging an impeachment vote every week until it passes, with South Korean protestors flooding the streets, calling for Yoon’s removal.  What are the other endgame scenarios for Yoon Suk Yeol? And is South Korea set for more turmoil now that Mr Yoon has escaped impeachment? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Sung-Yoon Lee, Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Lawmakers in South Korea have narrowly failed to impeach the nation's president over his short-lived attempt to declare martial law.

Singapore stocks slipped into negative territory today after global equities ended mixed last Friday. In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) inched down by 0.1 per cent to 3,793.18 points after 19.5 million securities changed hands in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have CapitaLand China Trust, after the manager appointed Gerry Chan as its CEO and an executive non-independent director with effect from Jan 1, 2025.  Elsewhere, from more on the situation in South Korea after President Yoon Suk Yeol averted impeachment over the weekend, to China’s consumer inflation hitting a five-month low in November – more international headlines remain in focus.  Also on deck – how Jack Ma made a rare appearance at Ant Group’s 20th anniversary.  On Market View, Money Matter’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Chin Hui Leong, Co-founder, The Smart Investor.

Bitcoin's price has blasted through the much-anticipated threshold of $100,000 last week. Now, questions are whether it can sustain at this level, how much higher it can go, and whether it can shake off its notorious volatility. On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Carney Mak, Chief Strategy Officer at Tokenize Xchange, to find out more.

Sophie's Nutrients is pioneering a transformative approach to the global protein supply chain by tapping into one of the planet’s most underutilized and sustainable resources: microalgae. With the world’s reliance on livestock farming increasingly strained, Sophie’s Nutrients offers a game-changing alternative that is nutrient-dense, environmentally friendly, and poised to redefine the future of food. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Eugene Wang, Co-Founder & CEO, Sophie's BioNutrients Pte Ltd, to find out 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!

Some dream of owning a private island while others llive that dream. Former banker, Andrew Dixon made his dream to create a green getaway on his own island a reality, owning two islands in Indonesia, just south of Singapore. What initially as an investment in a private weekend getaway has now developed into a venture that took on a life of its own. The islands Nikoi and Cempedak are booked up a year in advance, winning numerous awards and features on international media. But, what does it take to build a hotel business from scratch? On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Andrew Dixon, Founder of Nikoi & Cempedak Private Islands.