On this episode, we chat with Mr. Tan Suee Chieh, former CEO of NTUC Income and NTUC Enterprise. Suee Chieh was a key voice raising concerns about the Income-Allianz deal when it first broke, and we’ve been trying to get him on the show since last October. After some scheduling delays, we finally made it happen in December 2024, and it was a super insightful conversation, where he talked about what it takes to build an exceptional culture, why he took the step of going public with his views about the deal, and why he believes we need to “reimagine” Singapore. If you have questions for him or want him back for more on this topic, drop a comment below!

(00:00) Intro
(01:51) Tan Suee Chieh's Background
(04:40) Career at Prudential
(09:10) The Income-Allianz Deal
(16:53) Clarifying Misunderstandings
(22:21) Parliamentary Discussion
(31:28) Intro to Capital Lock-In
(33:20) Shareholder Dilution and Trading Issues
(39:01) Social Justice and Actuarial Ethics
(44:54) Enterprise & Capital Injection
(49:02) Income's Social Role
(54:46) Pluralism In Business Models
(59:16) Commitment to Shareholders
(01:02:53) Importance of Exceptional Culture
(01:04:00) Role of Government Ministries
(01:08:47) Challenges of Silo Thinking
(01:10:57) Leadership and Future Vision
(01:13:50) One Shiok Thing

Find Tan Suee Chieh here!

• LinkedIn
• Website

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One Shiok Thing

• "SURELY You Can See This is Wrong?" Neil deGrasse Tyson on Elon Musk, Mars, Trans Sports & More
• Reflections on Palantir
• Wicked - Official Trailer

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Donald Trump is officially back as the 47th President of the United States, and his inauguration speech felt more like a Game of Thrones coronation than a traditional ceremony. With Elon Musk and America’s billionaires front and center, we break down the key takeaways from Trump’s big return. Meanwhile, a scholarship ad by Hwa Chong International School sparked online outrage after netizens spotted the student in the ad wearing $1,690 Christian Dior sneakers. Is this an out-of-touch flex, or are we all overreacting?

(00:00) Tell You First
(01:47) Intro
(11:23) Trump’s Inauguration
(52:13) Hwa Chong Student’s $1,690 Dior Sneakers
(01:08:57) One Shiok Comment
(01:12:31) One Shiok Thing

Our New Podcast, TELL YOU FIRST

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Trump’s Inauguration

• Analysis: The promise and peril of Trump's inaugural speech
• Donald Trump’s Second Inaugural Speech, Annotated
• What is an executive order? How they differ from proclamations
• What is an executive order, and what orders did Trump sign on day 1? | Donald Trump News

Hwa Chong Student’s $1,690 Dior Sneakers

• Hwa Chong Student Wears $1.7K Dior Sneakers In School Scholarship Poster

One Shiok Comment

• Comment from captainblackchest

One Shiok Thing

• Podcasting Politics in Singapore: Hegemony, Resistance, and Digital Media
• Boom XB-1 pushes the sound barrier before supersonic flight

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In a recent speech, Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh made a bold call for one-third opposition representation in Parliament and for unity amongst Workers’ Party cadre. What does this mean for WP’s GE2025 strategy? Elsewhere, Pakistan International Airlines just had the PR fail of the year— its celebration of the resumption of flights to Paris ended up looking way too much like 9/11. How did this get passed?

(00:00) Folklory
(00:45) Intro
(10:30) Pritam Singh’s GE2025 Strategy
(29:16) Pakistan Airlines’ PR Disaster
(38:57) One Shiok Comment
(42:30) One Shiok Thing

Folklory

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Pritam Singh’s GE2025 Strategy

• Pritam Singh warns Workers' Party members: Unity essential to achieving one-third opposition in parliament
• WP did its part as 'loyal opposition' in parliament, will work to win voter support ahead of GE2025: Pritam Singh
• ​[2019] WP aiming for a third of parliamentary seats in medium term: Pritam Singh
• Workers’ Party: Members’ Forum 2025 – Onward to GE2025 – Office of the Leader of the Opposition

Pakistan Airlines’ PR Disaster

• Pakistan International Airlines says sorry over Eiffel Tower advert marking return of flights to Paris
• PIA (@pakistanintairlines) on Instagram
• Dismay, ridicule over Pakistan Airlines 'tone deaf' ad campaign for flights to France

One Shiok Comment

• Comment by @Curious-n9y
• Comment by junglejimbo88

One Shiok Thing

• Thian Hock Keng
• Why are Leica cameras so expensive?

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As GE2025 looms, a Blackbox Research survey reveals Singaporeans’ biggest concerns—cost of living and jobs, not political scandals. What does this mean for campaign strategies? Plus, surprising Singaporean sentiment on Donald Trump’s re-election. We dig into the data, the vibes, and the unexpected trends shaping Singapore’s political landscape. Meanwhile, a Singaporean climber raised a political flag at Everest Base Camp, sparking debate about devotion, ball-carrying, and whether this was a flex too far.

(00:00) Words of Wisdom
(00:54) Intro
(07:40) GE2025 Survey Drops
(30:20) PAP Flag Reaches Everest
(51:00) One Shiok Comment
(53:40) One Shiok Thing

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Folklory

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GE2025 Survey Drops

• Cost of living tops Singaporeans' concerns ahead of GE, 1 in 4 voters undecided on who to support: Survey
• Countdown to GE2025: Sensing Singapore’s Mood — Blackbox Research
• SensingSG: What Matters to Singapore: Jan 2025 (Latest Data)

PAP Flag Reaches Everest

• S'porean man, 55, brings PAP & Marine Parade flags up to Mount Everest base camp
• Everest Base Camp Toilets: What You Need to Know Before You Go
• 
  

One Shiok Comment

• Comment by LYSG18

One Shiok Thing

• Burnley threaten records by keeping it tight to eye Premier League return
• The podcast we recorded with Sean Bai of Burnley F.C.
• Mark Zuckerberg's Conservative Evolution is so EMBARRASSING

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We dive into the ICA’s suspension of its online address change system after 80 unauthorized attempts exploited a glaring loophole. How is this connected to the recent NRIC unmasking drama, if at all? Meanwhile, SM Lee Hsien Loong’s speech on immigration and integration at a SINDA dinner sparks online debate. From balancing foreigner inflow to fostering inclusivity, we discuss the tension between cultural adaptation and xenophobia in Singapore.

(00:00) Folklory
(00:50) Intro
(13:09) Scammers Target ICA’s Online Service
(31:06) SM Lee Warns Against Nativism
(56:49) One Shiok Comment
(01:00:00) One Shiok Thing

Folklory

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Find us here!

• Our Website: https://www.ministryoffunny.com
• Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/YahLahBut/
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Scammers Target ICA’s Online Service

• ICA temporarily suspends e-service after 80 unauthorised attempts to change residential addresses
• ICA suspends online service after 80 cases of unauthorised change of address using compromised Singpass accounts
• ICA Press Release - Suspension Of ICA’s Electronic Change of Address Service

SM Lee Warns Against Nativism

• Singapore should help immigrants, foreign workers adapt to country's social norms: SM Lee
• Speech by SM Lee Hsien Loong at the Indian Community Appreciation Dinner
• S’pore must manage new arrivals with utmost caution, but also stand firm against nativism: SM Lee
• Community Integration Initiatives by People’s Association

One Shiok Comment

• Comments on #608

One Shiok Thing

• All That You CAN Leave Behind
• Escape from the terrordome: how Netherlands panopticon prisons are being reborn as stunning arts hubs

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This week, we unpack the exchanges in Parliament about the recent case of unintentional NRIC unmasking by ACRA. Minister Josephine Teo and Minister Indranee fielded a bevy of questions from both sides, but some questions still remain unanswered. Is the public overreacting? Elsewhere, a political confrontation between PSP and PAP volunteers at Bukit Gombak escalated into what is now a police case. What triggered the clash, and what does it mean for Singapore’s election culture?

(00:00) Words of Wisdom
(00:50) Intro
(06:30) NRIC Unmasking Saga Laid Open in Parliament
(34:00) Political Showdown in Bukit Gombak
(51:57) One Shiok Comment
(56:45) One Shiok Thing

Nominate a Senior over 60 for Words of Wisdom!

• We’ll be recording 60 Folklories with 60 Singaporeans above 60 yrs as part of our “Words of Wisdom” Project for SG60
• Nominate someone by clicking here, and we’ll be in touch with you to get more information!

Find us here!

• Our Website: https://www.ministryoffunny.com
• Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/YahLahBut/
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NRIC Unmasking Saga Laid Open in Parliament

• NRIC numbers remain personal data, should not be widely circulated: Josephine Teo
• Opposition MPs raise questions including why NRIC unmasking issue was not brought to parliament earlier
• Private firms using NRIC numbers as authentication, default passwords should stop as soon as possible: Josephine Teo

Political Showdown in Bukit Gombak

• PAP volunteer releases footage of altercations with PSP during Bukit Gombak walkabout
• PAP's Low Yen Ling responds to PSP harrassment allegations in Bukit Gombak, says her volunteer was slapped

One Shiok Comment

• Comment by TangeloOk9358
• Comment by OriginalGoat1

One Shiok Thing

• 2 passers-by rescue girl, 17, from Punggol multistorey car park 5th floor ledge
• Why Life Really Begins at 40

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Edited and mixed by Tristen Yeak