Shows / Yah Lah But
Yah Lah But
A thrice weekly podcast on conversations Singaporeans are having but not saying out loud – politics, culture, identity. Haresh Tilani and Terence Chia consider every side, never quite agree, and never play it safe. Honest, informed, always worth arguing about. Subscribe so you don’t miss new episodes.
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Episodes
Yah Lah But#228 - Pro wrestler “The Statement” Andruew Tang on the future of wrestling in Singapore
Eeeeeyakkkkk! There was a lot of buzz recently when WWE unveiled their first ever Singaporean wrestler, Dante Chen. But what does it really take to make it to…
Yah Lah But#227 - Opposition MP Raeesah Khan admits to lying in Parliament & Elon Musk ends world hunger
There was a bombshell revelation in Parliament on Monday, as Workers’ Party MP Raeesah Khan admitted that her past account of accompanying a sexual assault…
Yah Lah But#226 - Local football prodigy offered Premier League contract but unable to skip NS obligations
It's a short one today, folks! Singapore-born footballing talent Harry Birtwhistle, 17 years old, has been offered a professional contract to play with the…
Yah Lah But#225 - HDB’s new Prime Location Public Housing & writers slam Wang Lei as choice of speaker
National Development Minister Desmond Lee unveiled the new PLH model under HDB, which aims to keep public housing in prime locations “affordable, accessible…
Yah Lah But#224 - Special dine-in rules for Bloomberg Forum & Xiaxue interviews Sylvia from NOC
Over the weekend, it was revealed that local and foreign delegates at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum (NEF) to be held from 16th-19th November would be allowed…
Yah Lah But#223 - Alec Baldwin’s prop gun misfires on Hollywood set and kills cinematographer & no guilty plea for man behind livestreamed row with bus driver
On the movie set of “Rust”, in which Alec Baldwin is acting and a producer, a prop gun in the actor’s hands misfired and killed their cinematographer Halyna…
Yah Lah But#222 - SG electricity retailers suddenly shut down & another NOC exposé reveals even worse allegations beyond employee abuse
The liberalisation of the SG energy market that began in 2018 was supposed to herald a bright new future for consumers. However, 3 electricity retailers have…
Yah Lah But#221 - Comedian Dave Chapelle’s Netflix special ignites “transphobia” controversy & Hooters staff complain that their new uniforms are inappropriate
Recently, streaming platform Netflix came under a firestorm of criticism from the LGBTQ+ community both outside the company and internally, with transgender…
Yah Lah But#220 - SGeans itching to travel on VTL crash SIA website & unvaxxed NBA star Kyrie Irving banned from playing
Recently, with the announcement of VTLs with 11 different countries, SGeans have been flocking to travel agents and airline offices to plan their year-end…
Yah Lah But#219 - Viral sensation Jaze Phua reveals how to get 1.5 million TikTok followers in a month and addresses the toxicity on YouTube
Content creator Jaze Phua recently exploded on TikTok, gaining 1.5 million followers in a month, largely based on his Squid Game videos. We discuss how TikTok…
Yah Lah But#218 - Study discovers what makes Singaporeans happy & NOC claps back at allegations of toxic work environment
A study by a social enterprise, Happiness Initiative, uncovered that several socio-demographic factors such as household income and sexual orientation had a…
Yah Lah But#217 - Marathoner Soh Rui Yong gets real about his “arrogance”, what hate comments rile him up the most, and why 700 packets of chicken rice is the best thing ever
This week, we come face to face with the outspoken and controversial Singapore athlete and SEA Games gold medalist, Soh Rui Yong. Never one to mince words, he…
Yah Lah But#216 - Whistleblower claims Facebook puts profits before people & government chatbot “Jamie” doles out safe sex advice
Recently, an ex-employee of Facebook, Frances Haugen, testified at a US Senate hearing about how there is no accountability within Facebook’s leadership with…
Yah Lah But#215 - Police to interview Raeesah Khan over claims in Parliament & wild chickens divide the community at Dover Close
Recently in Parliament, Minister Shanmugam pressed opposition MP Raeesah Khan to divulge more details about a claim she had made about the police’s poor…
Yah Lah But#214 - SG panel rejects the idea of bicycle registration & social worker lambasts Mediacorp talk show as “immoral”
The Active Mobility Advisory Panel, tasked by the SG government with reviewing rules for on-road cycling, has concluded that bicycle registration and licensing…
Yah Lah But#213 - Singapore population registers record drop & runner Soh Rui Yong crowdfunding $180,000 for legal fees
Singapore’s annual Population in Brief report revealed that total population fell 4.1% to 5.45 million as a result of COVID-19. We discuss the numbers and why…
Yah Lah But#212 - Singapore tightens COVID restrictions & BooksActually co-founder accused of misconduct by ex-employees
As quickly as we embarked on a COVID-endemic strategy, Singapore has tightened restrictions on social gatherings once again. It’s not the first time we’ve…
Yah Lah But#211 - Paul, the Singaporean deminer who cleared landmines in Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq
And we thought our jobs were tough! This week, we speak to Paul Laurence, a Singaporean who clears unexploded RPGs, landmines and IEDs in war-torn countries…
Yah Lah But#210 - Opposition MP Jamus Lim questions masks outdoors & MMA fighter Victoria Lee tells us what motivates her
This week, Workers’ Party MP Jamus Lim wades into the argument on whether SG should continue its mask mandate in a FB post, triggering a fierce debate online…
Yah Lah But#209 - SAF General appointed as CEO of pre-school sector agency & Clown PR stunt gets backlash
At the end of the year, a Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) General, Tan Chee Wee, will be appointed chief executive of the Early Childhood Development Agency…
Yah Lah But#208 - Yale-NUS student talks honestly about the school‘s closure, Chan Chun Sing‘s explanation & Calvin Cheng
Since the bombshell news about the closure of Yale-NUS, we’ve not heard directly from actual students about how they’re coping with the loss. So we connected…
Yah Lah But#207 - Minister Vivian Balakrishnan’s “illiterate” insult goes viral & SGeans worry about how the new Copyright Act will affect their weddings
At the recent livestreamed parliamentary debate, a hot mic caught part of a private conversation between several MPs, in which Minister Vivian Balakrishnan had…
Yah Lah But#206 - Why young, single SGeans are moving out earlier & athlete Soh Rui Yong’s publicity stunt angers commandos
A recent feature by CNA highlights a trend of more young, single Singaporeans moving out from their parents’ homes to live in their own rental spaces. We…
Yah Lah But#205 - Paralympic gold only worth 20% of Olympic gold & Simu Liu might get cancelled in China
We talk about the recent calls for Singapore’s Paralympians to be awarded the same sweet $1,000,000 reward that Olympians receive for winning gold. Also, Simu…
Yah Lah But#204 - Ho Ching questions MOH decision & fake F&B reviews exposes smear campaign
From conspiracy theorists group-buying ivermectin, to even PM Lee’s wife Ho Ching herself publicly questioning MOH’s decision to stop announcing the number of…
Yah Lah But#203 - Authorities encourage limits on social gatherings & Singapore is the most fatigued country in the world
In response to the recent spike in COVID cases, the Ministry of Health advised that all individuals should limit themselves to one social gathering a day…
Yah Lah But#202 - Joe Rogan, world’s #1 podcaster, gets COVID & mysterious death at SingPost Centre
What a strange week it’s been, with that August rain and chilly weather! Mainstream media had a field day when the world’s #1 podcaster Joe Rogan announced on…
Yah Lah But#201 - OKLETSGO’s Dzar Ismail on Radio DJs vs. podcasters, cancel culture, and how he deals with haters
This week, we had the chance to pick the brain of 1 of the 3 men behind Singapore’s #1 podcast, OKLETSGO, Dzar Ismail! He talks about the difference between…
Yah Lah But#200 - PM Lee says Chinese Privilege is “entirely baseless” & Yale-NUS announces shock closure
It's our 200th episode!!! And we are discussing EPIC topics! In the National Day Rally, PM Lee asserted that it is “entirely baseless” to claim that “Chinese…
Yah Lah But#199 - VP Kamala Harris’ visit to Singapore ruffles feathers in China & OnlyFans U-turns on its decision to ban adult content
US Vice-President Kamala Harris’ first official trip overseas was to Singapore - a big deal in bilateral relations. Why did her visit ruffle so many feathers…
Yah Lah But#198 - Malaysia army video causes anxiety during NDP & doctor acquitted of molestation charges after 4 years
Over the NDP weekend, on Facebook, Minister Shanmugam shared a Malaysia army video that was released during NDP 2021, and highlighted that the bulk of the…
Yah Lah But#197 - Singapore opens up to Germany and Brunei & OnlyFans bans sexually explicit content
On 19th August, the Singapore government announced Vaccinated Travel Lanes to Germany and Brunei; it will be the first time SG residents can go for…
Yah Lah But#196 - Chaos after US withdraws from Afghanistan & YouTuber Dee Kosh charged over sexual offences against minors
Heavy, heavy topics this week, as we dissect the timeline of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and ask: how did the country get back to this situation, 20…
Yah Lah But#195 - Radio DJ Joshua Simon talks about LGBTQ representation, his new single “We Are Done”, and why Katy Perry is awesome
Another week, another guest! This week, we talk to Radio DJ / singer-songwriter / podcast host Joshua Simon as he gets personal about his moving story of…
Yah Lah But#194 - Mediacorp responds to allegations of bias by ex-BBC journalist & Japanese mayor gets flak for biting Olympic medal
Following allegations that one of its editors had said "viewers did not like watching darker-skinned presenters" to former BBC journalist Sharanjit Leyl …
Yah Lah But#193 - Rapper Yung Raja on his Jimmy Fallon feature, being an Artist vs. a Sellout, and why Bill Gates rocks
We talk to Singaporean rapper sensation Yung Raja, whose most recent claim to fame was having his song “Mami” featured on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon…
Yah Lah But#192 - The 2-step easing of COVID19 rules in S’pore & Nas Daily loses 500,000 followers amid controversy
On Aug 10 2021, Singapore will enter the next phase of COVID19 restrictions, but for the better! But if you’re not vaccinated, you’ll have a lot less freedom…
Yah Lah But#191 - Comedian Dr Jason Leong on anti-vaxxers, Malaysian politics & his dreams of becoming Singaporean
We talk to stand-up comedian Dr Jason Leong from across the causeway about his journey giving up medicine for comedy, and how he’s been adapting since COVID19…
Yah Lah But#190 - URA gets backlash for apparent powers of safe distancing officers & the NDP poster that spurred racist comments
A viral CCTV video uploaded by local actor Nick Mikhail showed safe distancing officers and ambassadors entering his home without a warrant, under suspicion of…
Yah Lah But#189 - Scarlett Johansson sues Disney over “Black Widow” release & dating apps in SG to show vaccination status
Last week, “Black Widow” star actress Scarlett Johansson sued Disney for breaching their contract after it streamed the film at the same time as its cinema…
Yah Lah But#188 - Simone Biles’ Olympic withdrawal divides the Internet & Joseph Schooling bows out of the games
Last week, arguably the greatest ever gymnast, Simone Biles, pulled out of the Olympic games, citing mental health concerns. Following that, the Internet was…
Yah Lah But#187 - Anti-vaxxers start petition against easing of restrictions for vaccinated people & Norwegian female athletes fined for not wearing bikinis
During the parliamentary sitting on 26 Jul, MPs Lawrence Wong and Ong Ye Kung spoke of potential easing of restrictions, but only for vaccinated people. Since…
Yah Lah But#186 - NDP 2021 is postponed (did we predict that?) & a SG women refuses to share lift with deliver rider
After political debate, an online petition, and much chatter online, it was announced that NDP 2021 is postponed to 21 Aug, with the fireworks and fighter jet…
Yah Lah But#185 - MP Ong Ye Kung explains the slide back to P2HA & the petition to cancel NDP 2021
On 22 July 2021, the whole of Singapore reverts back to Phase 2 Heightened Alert (a.k.a PATOOHA) and people are pissed. But Minister of Health Ong Ye Kung…
Yah Lah But#184 - The horrible death at River Valley High School & the SG secret intelligence service launches a recruitment website
On 19 July 2021, the whole of Singapore had to confront the gruesome reality that a Sec 4 student attacked and caused the death of a Sec 1 student at River…
Yah Lah But#183 - KTV COVID-19 cluster gets Singapore buzzing & actress Chantalle Ng forgets her car, but why is that on the news??
Within a few days, Singapore has gone from “ready to open up” to “wtf is going on?” with the still-developing COVID-19 cluster at KTVs. Aside from the climbing…
Yah Lah But#182 - Singapore Govt leads the way to stop climate change & local rapper Yung Raja featured on Jimmy Fallon’s show!
It’s Climate Action Week here in Singapore (did you even know that?) and the Govt has laid out plans for the civil sector to lead the charge towards reducing…
Yah Lah But#181 - The sudden obsession with tech CEOs buying GCBs & TikToker charged after stunt at SG Zoo’s rhino enclosure
Within the span of 2 weeks, there have been numerous articles across mainstream media about purchases of GCBs (Good Class Bungalows) by CEOs of Tech companies…
Yah Lah But#180 - The Parliamentary showdown about CECA & the proposed Copyright law to protect content creators
On 6 Jul 2021, MPs Ong Ye Kung and Tan See Lee spoke in parliament in response to claims about CECA by Leong Mun Wai from the PSP. It got heated, but did…
Yah Lah But#179 - Why we need to talk about the CECA debate & $50,000 raised for the British expat who refused to wear a mask
This week in Parliament, Ministers will be talking about CECA and the “false allegations” that foreigners get a “free hand” to live and work in SG. But why is…
Yah Lah But#178 - Bill Cosby released from prison after court reverses conviction & NDP 2021 to be at Marina Bay
So Bill Cosby is free again, after his conviction got overturned. People are pissed, but what are they pissed about? Because it’s not a simple case - does this…
Yah Lah But#177 - KF Seetoh slams NEA for increasing hawker rent by 40% & top SG lawyers scammed by alleged investment fraud
Amidst increasingly public struggles faced by hawker stall owners, as well as calls to preserve the UNESCO-approved hawker culture, NEA went ahead and…
Yah Lah But#176 - MP Lawrence Wong talks RACISM & the man investigated for approaching women for a “bukkake” shoot
On Fri, 25 Jun, MP Lawrence Wong delivered a 1-hr speech and 30-min Q&A on the topic of race, and racism. He said stuff that other politicians have never…
Yah Lah But#175 - Fakkah Fuzz on problems of being “superWOKE”, an app to track Singaporean racists & life as a comedian
We speak to Fakkah Fuzz, who was the first-ever guest on our first-ever podcast back in 2018. Since then, He’s had multiple comedy specials since then…
Yah Lah But#174 - Should Singapore relax Covid-19 rules to retain foreign talent & seafood restaurant takes crabs for walks
As other cities open up Covid-19 travel restrictions, Singapore (and Hong Kong) remain strict, especially for non-citizens. But strict enough to make expats…
Yah Lah But#173 - Is the CMIO model hurting SG, debating Lee Kuan Yew’s legacy & how Chinese people can stop racism (feat. SudhirTV, Part 2)
In part 2 of one of our most requested episodes ever, we continue the chat with writer/ commentator Sudhir Thomas Vadaketh about CMIO & SAP schools, how LKY’s…
Yah Lah But#172 - Racial tensions in SG, cultural ignorance vs racism & the “PA vs Sarah Bagharib” issue (feat. SudhirTV, Part 1)
In part 1 of one of our most requested episodes, we chat with writer/ commentator Sudhir Thomas Vadaketh about recent racial incidents in SG, frameworks for…
Yah Lah But#171 - Academics sign open letter to Lianhe Zaobao’s article on racism & “Crazy Rich Asians” director Jon Chu apologises
On 9 Jun, Chinese Daily Lianhe Zaobao published an opinion piece on racism in SG after recent events. However, it got a lot of backlash from the intelligentsia…
Yah Lah But#170 - Working with Hollywood’s John Woo, writing & directing our Chinese TV series & filmmaking in China vs SG (feat. Yao Lishan)
We talk to Yao Lishan, our writer-director for our Chinese TV series “The Amazing Showman”. We speak about his life as a filmmaker, from leaving Investment…
Yah Lah But#169 - Infections disease expert calls out “fake COVID news” & Circles.Life gets backlash for IG post
Prof David Lye is back at it again with a message to S'poreans. On 7 Jun 2021, the researcher at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) said…