Busting the one month severance pay rules

Cooling off periods for severance offers

Practical changes to workplace fairness.

Weaponising mental health at workplaces.

Claim limits and lawyer bans in new laws

Retrenchment payouts, mental health claims & the Workplace Fairness Act: How S’pore’s new law rewrites the rules.

Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each Wednesday, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day.

With the landmark Workplace Fairness Act (WFA) set to take full effect in late 2027, the rules of the corporate game are about to change. But will the new laws actually protect the everyday worker, or just create new legal loopholes?

In this episode of In Your Opinion, ST assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong sits down with veteran employment lawyer Jonathan Yuen, Partner at Rajah & Tann. 

They peel back the curtain on the dark side of HR tactics, from weaponised Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) to the 24-hour ultimatum room. Plus, an insider look at the new $250,000 Employment Claims Tribunals (ECT) limit, and why the upcoming legal changes might force unrepresented employees into a David and Goliath battle against corporate HR. 

Highlights (click/tap above): 

8:46 Myth busted: The '1 month per year' severance rule

20:41 Should Singapore introduce a mandatory cooling-off period for severance offers?

25:30 What is the most practical change from the Workplace Fairness Act?

32:44 Genuine struggles vs weaponising mental health against employers

39:06 The $250,000 claim limit and the ban on lawyers under the new law

Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH

Follow Lynda Hong on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/Gm2v

Host: Lynda Hong (lyndahong@sph.com.sg) 

Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Executive producers: Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong

Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb

Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV

YouTube: https://str.sg/GjMT

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 

Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts 

---

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The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

---

#inyouropinion

Retrenchment payouts, mental health claims &amp; the Workplace Fairness Act: How S&rsquo;pore&rsquo;s new law rewrites the rules.
Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each Wednesday, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day.
With the landmark Workplace Fairness Act (WFA) set to take full effect in late 2027, the rules of the corporate game are about to change. But will the new laws actually protect the everyday worker, or just create new legal loopholes?
In this episode of In Your Opinion, ST assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong sits down with veteran employment lawyer Jonathan Yuen, Partner at Rajah &amp; Tann.&nbsp;
They peel back the curtain on the dark side of HR tactics, from weaponised Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) to the 24-hour ultimatum room. Plus, an insider look at the new $250,000 Employment Claims Tribunals (ECT) limit, and why the upcoming legal changes might force unrepresented employees into a David and Goliath battle against corporate HR.&nbsp;
Highlights (click/tap above):&nbsp;
8:46 Myth busted: The '1 month per year' severance rule
20:41 Should Singapore introduce a mandatory cooling-off period for severance offers?
25:30 What is the most practical change from the Workplace Fairness Act?
32:44 Genuine struggles vs weaponising mental health against employers
39:06 The $250,000 claim limit and the ban on lawyers under the new law
Read ST&rsquo;s Opinion section:<a href="https://str.sg/w7sH"> https://str.sg/w7sH</a>
Follow Lynda Hong on LinkedIn:<a href="https://str.sg/Gm2v"> https://str.sg/Gm2v</a>
Host: Lynda Hong (<a href="mailto:lyndahong@sph.com.sg">lyndahong@sph.com.sg)</a>&nbsp;
Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim
Executive producers: Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong
Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:
Channel:<a href="https://str.sg/w7Qt">&nbsp;https://str.sg/w7Qt</a>
Apple Podcasts:<a href="https://str.sg/wukb">&nbsp;https://str.sg/wukb</a>
Spotify:<a href="https://str.sg/w7sV">&nbsp;https://str.sg/w7sV</a>
YouTube: <a href="https://str.sg/GjMT">https://str.sg/GjMT</a>
Feedback to: <a href="mailto:podcast@sph.com.sg">podcast@sph.com.sg</a>
---
Follow more ST podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel:&nbsp;<a href="https://str.sg/wvz7">https://str.sg/wvz7</a>&nbsp;
Get more updates:&nbsp;<a href="http://str.sg/stpodcasts">http://str.sg/stpodcasts</a>&nbsp;
---
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Google Play:<a href="https://str.sg/icyX">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://str.sg/icyX">https://str.sg/icyX</a>
---
#inyouropinion

Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each Wednesday, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day.

Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Executive producers: Danson Cheong & Lynda Hong

A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each Wednesday, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day.
Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim
Executive producers: Danson Cheong &amp; Lynda Hong
A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

In Your Opinion

Synopsis: Almost every weekday, our ALL-IN-ONE channel showcases discussions on Singapore youth perspectives and social issues, geopolitics through an Asian lens, health, climate change, personal finance and career.

Follow our shows on your favourite audio apps Apple Podcasts, Spotify or even ST's app, which has a dedicated podcast player section.

Produced by podcast editor Ernest Luis & The Straits Times, SPH Media.

Synopsis: Almost every weekday, our ALL-IN-ONE channel showcases discussions on Singapore youth perspectives and social issues, geopolitics through an Asian lens, health, climate change, personal finance and career.
Follow our shows on your favourite audio apps Apple Podcasts, Spotify or even ST's app, which has a dedicated podcast player section.
Produced by podcast editor Ernest Luis &amp; The Straits Times, SPH Media.

The Straits Times Podcasts

A hard look at the social issues of the month in Singapore. Join ST journalists and other guests as they discuss with Lydia Wong.

Inside disguised retrenchments: An employment lawyer on how companies force workers out

Motherhood and personal advocacy journey

Evolving support systems and challenges

Bridging gaps in learning, working and living

Creating inclusive employment opportunities

How should employers embrace inclusivity?

AI taking over jobs for people w special needs

Personalised support and living models

Straddling between advocacy and her role as MP

Life without parents for people with autism

Denise Phua raised an autistic son and spent decades championing greater inclusion. 

Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each Wednesday, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day.

The Straits Times Deputy Opinion Editor Mubin Saadat sits with Member of Parliament and President of Autism Resource Centre Denise Phua to discuss her personal journey raising a son with autism and the lessons it has taught her about inclusion. 

The podcast explores the “post-18 cliff” faced by many adults with autism and their families, and what needs to change in learning, employment and living arrangements. 

Denise also discusses the anxieties caregivers face about their children’s futures, especially when parents are no longer around. The conversation examines whether Singapore’s disability policies are keeping pace with the needs of people across their entire lives – and what a truly inclusive society should look like.

Highlights (click/tap above):

0:55 Motherhood and personal advocacy journey

5:55 Evolving support systems and challenges

15:55 Bridging gaps in learning, working and living

22:55 Creating inclusive employment opportunities

29:35 What would you say to employers to embrace inclusivity?

37:25 Will AI take over jobs meant for people with special needs?

40:35 Personalised support and living models

47:10 On straddling between advocacy and her role as MP

51:05 Grappling with life without parents for people with autism

Read more: 
Going beyond tackling misconceptions about autism: https://str.sg/xaFs
When you’re told you’re ‘not autistic enough’: https://str.sg/sXC4
Walk a mile in my shoes as mother of two children with autism: https://str.sg/EpUu
Autism lasts a lifetime. Can support stay the course?: https://str.sg/LR3om
Autism in the workplace is about more than job placement: https://str.sg/apLC
We are more aware of autism, but how well do we understand it?: https://str.sg/ejLE
Schools have integrated children with autism. Have they included them?: https://str.sg/qgmz

Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH

Follow Mubin Saadat on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/brVx

Host: Mubin Saadat (mubin@sph.com.sg)

Produced and edited by: Teo Tong Kai

Executive producers: Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong

Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb

Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV

YouTube: https://str.sg/GjMT

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts 

---

Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

---

#inyouropinion

Denise Phua raised an autistic son and spent decades championing greater inclusion.&nbsp;
Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each Wednesday, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day.
The Straits Times Deputy Opinion Editor Mubin Saadat sits with Member of Parliament and President of Autism Resource Centre Denise Phua to discuss her personal journey raising a son with autism and the lessons it has taught her about inclusion.&nbsp;
The podcast explores the &ldquo;post-18 cliff&rdquo; faced by many adults with autism and their families, and what needs to change in learning, employment and living arrangements.&nbsp;
Denise also discusses the anxieties caregivers face about their children&rsquo;s futures, especially when parents are no longer around. The conversation examines whether Singapore&rsquo;s disability policies are keeping pace with the needs of people across their entire lives &ndash; and what a truly inclusive society should look like.
Highlights (click/tap above):
0:55 Motherhood and personal advocacy journey
5:55 Evolving support systems and challenges
15:55 Bridging gaps in learning, working and living
22:55 Creating inclusive employment opportunities
29:35 What would you say to employers to embrace inclusivity?
37:25 Will AI take over jobs meant for people with special needs?
40:35 Personalised support and living models
47:10 On straddling between advocacy and her role as MP
51:05 Grappling with life without parents for people with autism
Read more:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Going beyond tackling misconceptions about autism:&nbsp;<a href="https://str.sg/xaFs">https://str.sg/xaFs</a></li>
<li>When you&rsquo;re told you&rsquo;re &lsquo;not autistic enough&rsquo;: <a href="https://str.sg/sXC4">https://str.sg/sXC4</a></li>
<li>Walk a mile in my shoes as mother of two children with autism: <a href="https://str.sg/EpUu">https://str.sg/EpUu</a></li>
<li>Autism lasts a lifetime. Can support stay the course?: <a href="https://str.sg/LR3om">https://str.sg/LR3om</a></li>
<li>Autism in the workplace is about more than job placement: <a href="https://str.sg/apLC">https://str.sg/apLC</a></li>
<li>We are more aware of autism, but how well do we understand it?: <a href="https://str.sg/ejLE">https://str.sg/ejLE</a></li>
<li>Schools have integrated children with autism. Have they included them?: <a href="https://str.sg/qgmz">https://str.sg/qgmz</a></li>
</ul>
Read ST&rsquo;s Opinion section: <a href="https://str.sg/w7sH">https://str.sg/w7sH</a>
Follow Mubin Saadat on LinkedIn: <a href="https://str.sg/brVx">https://str.sg/brVx</a>
Host: Mubin Saadat (<a href="mailto:mubin@sph.com.sg">mubin@sph.com.sg</a>)
Produced and edited by: Teo Tong Kai
Executive producers: Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong
Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:
Channel: <a href="https://str.sg/w7Qt">https://str.sg/w7Qt</a>
Apple Podcasts: <a href="https://str.sg/wukb">https://str.sg/wukb</a>
Spotify: <a href="https://str.sg/w7sV">https://str.sg/w7sV</a>
YouTube: <a href="https://str.sg/GjMT">https://str.sg/GjMT</a>
Feedback to: <a href="mailto:podcast@sph.com.sg">podcast@sph.com.sg</a>
---
Follow more ST podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: <a href="https://str.sg/wvz7">https://str.sg/wvz7</a>
Get more updates:&nbsp;<a href="http://str.sg/stpodcasts">http://str.sg/stpodcasts</a>&nbsp;
---
Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:
The App Store:&nbsp;<a href="https://str.sg/icyB">https://str.sg/icyB</a>
Google Play: <a href="https://str.sg/icyX">https://str.sg/icyX</a>
---
#inyouropinion

Denise Phua on motherhood, advocacy and support for people with autism

DELTA study tech: vitals & biological age

How exactly DELTA differs from Blueprint

Optimise your biology knowing your delta

Ho detailing interaction with B. Johnson

Bryan Johnson's sleep focus is inspiring

Did Ho take testosterone, HGH, or others

Why DELTA study sample size of one works

Using a digital twin for health strategy

Human behaviour beats the best medicines

Small steps: Kopi O Kosong, sleep longer

The real reason Ho pursues his longevity

Longevity pursuit vs the quality of life

An NUS scientist reversed his own biological age after stress-testing his diet, sleep and exercise in a longevity study 

Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each week, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day.

Strict bedtimes, daily exercise and cutbacks to fat and sugar intake are usually gleaned from big data as standard advice for better health. But what if you could effectively tailor these rules for your own body? 

To find out more about how an individual’s biological baseline shifts over time, Dean Ho, director of the Institute for Digital Medicine (WisDM) at NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS Medicine),  embarked on a two-year study on himself to develop a technology that analyses the data from wearables. 

Known as DELTA, this study had helped reverse the 47-year-old's biological age by 15 years, after undergoing a series of lifestyle interventions, including varying fasting durations, exercise routines and nutrition adjustments. Throughout the process, this biological response was monitored in real-time to track a biological baseline shaped by age, stress, sleep, food, exercise and illness. 

His intense regimen included around 20 hours of fasting each day, multiple 48-hour fasts, 90 minutes of strength or cardiovascular training every morning, and a structured diet centred on leafy greens, seeds, olive oil, lean protein, and other Mediterranean-style foods. His beverages were limited to water, electrolytes, and black coffee or tea without milk and sugar.

In this episode of In Your Opinion, Lynda Hong, assistant podcast editor from The Straits Times, sits down with Ho, who is also provost’s chair professor at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. They delve into why he embarked on this study with just himself as the study sample, and how he can still eat everything from chicken rice, and pizza to five chendols in 2.5 days when he went on a trip to Penang with his son. 

Highlights (click/tap above): 

7:48 Technology aspect to DELTA study in analysing vitals and biological age

10:00 How DELTA differs from Project Blueprint

12:52 Have your pizza and eat it too - understanding 'your delta' to optimise your biology

15:24 Ho’s interaction with Bryan Johnson 

15:52 Ho on Bryan Johnson: ‘His dedication to sleep is inspiring’ 

17:46 Did Ho take any testosterone replacements, HGH, supplements? 

20:30 Why a sample size of one is enough for the DELTA study

27:08 The function of a ‘digital twin’ in tailoring strategies to improve health

30:05 ‘Human behavior is more powerful than the most powerful medicines on the planet’

39:00 Taking small steps to drinking Kopi ‘O’ Kosong and sleeping more

43:00 Beyond the wrinkles and cutting sugar to the real reason why Ho pursues longevity

52:10 The Pursuit of Longevity vs. Quality of Life

Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH

Follow Lynda Hong on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/Gm2v

Host: Lynda Hong (lyndahong@sph.com.sg) 

Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Executive producers: Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong

Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb

Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV

YouTube: https://str.sg/GjMT

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 

Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts 

---

Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

---

#inyouropinion

An NUS scientist reversed his own biological age after stress-testing his diet, sleep and exercise in a longevity study&nbsp;
Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each week, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day.
Strict bedtimes, daily exercise and cutbacks to fat and sugar intake are usually gleaned from big data as standard advice for better health. But what if you could effectively tailor these rules for your own body?&nbsp;
To find out more about how an individual&rsquo;s biological baseline shifts over time, Dean Ho, director of the Institute for Digital Medicine (WisDM) at NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS Medicine),&nbsp; embarked on a two-year study on himself to develop a technology that analyses the data from wearables.&nbsp;
Known as DELTA, this study had helped reverse the 47-year-old's biological age by 15 years, after undergoing a series of lifestyle interventions, including varying fasting durations, exercise routines and nutrition adjustments. Throughout the process, this biological response was monitored in real-time to track a biological baseline shaped by age, stress, sleep, food, exercise and illness.&nbsp; His intense regimen included around 20 hours of fasting each day, multiple 48-hour fasts, 90 minutes of strength or cardiovascular training every morning, and a structured diet centred on leafy greens, seeds, olive oil, lean protein, and other Mediterranean-style foods. His beverages were limited to water, electrolytes, and black coffee or tea without milk and sugar.
In this episode of In Your Opinion, Lynda Hong, assistant podcast editor from The Straits Times, sits down with Ho, who is also provost&rsquo;s chair professor at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. They delve into why he embarked on this study with just himself as the study sample, and how he can still eat everything from chicken rice, and pizza to five chendols in 2.5 days when he went on a trip to Penang with his son.&nbsp;
Highlights (click/tap above):&nbsp;
7:48 Technology aspect to DELTA study in analysing vitals and biological age
10:00 How DELTA differs from Project Blueprint
12:52 Have your pizza and eat it too - understanding 'your delta' to optimise your biology
15:24 Ho&rsquo;s interaction with Bryan Johnson&nbsp;
15:52 Ho on Bryan Johnson: &lsquo;His dedication to sleep is inspiring&rsquo;&nbsp;
17:46 Did Ho take any testosterone replacements, HGH, supplements?&nbsp;
20:30 Why a sample size of one is enough for the DELTA study
27:08 The function of a &lsquo;digital twin&rsquo; in tailoring strategies to improve health
30:05 &lsquo;Human behavior is more powerful than the most powerful medicines on the planet&rsquo;
39:00 Taking small steps to drinking Kopi &lsquo;O&rsquo; Kosong and sleeping more
43:00 Beyond the wrinkles and cutting sugar to the real reason why Ho pursues longevity
52:10 The Pursuit of Longevity vs. Quality of Life
Read ST&rsquo;s Opinion section:<a href="https://str.sg/w7sH"> https://str.sg/w7sH</a>
Follow Lynda Hong on LinkedIn:<a href="https://str.sg/Gm2v"> https://str.sg/Gm2v</a>
Host: Lynda Hong (<a href="mailto:lyndahong@sph.com.sg">lyndahong@sph.com.sg)</a>&nbsp;
Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim
Executive producers: Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong
Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:
Channel:<a href="https://str.sg/w7Qt">&nbsp;https://str.sg/w7Qt</a>
Apple Podcasts:<a href="https://str.sg/wukb">&nbsp;https://str.sg/wukb</a>
Spotify:<a href="https://str.sg/w7sV">&nbsp;https://str.sg/w7sV</a>
YouTube: <a href="https://str.sg/GjMT">https://str.sg/GjMT</a>
Feedback to: <a href="mailto:podcast@sph.com.sg">podcast@sph.com.sg</a>
---
Follow more ST podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel:&nbsp;<a href="https://str.sg/wvz7">https://str.sg/wvz7</a>&nbsp;
Get more updates:&nbsp;<a href="http://str.sg/stpodcasts">http://str.sg/stpodcasts</a>&nbsp;
---
Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:
The App Store:<a href="https://str.sg/icyB">&nbsp;https://str.sg/icyB</a>
Google Play:<a href="https://str.sg/icyX">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://str.sg/icyX">https://str.sg/icyX</a>
---
#inyouropinion

Sleep earlier: NUS scientist Dean Ho on the top thing people can do to live longer

Is the GRC system due for a review?

Limits of the Elected Presidency 

The NCMP scheme

Being J.B. Jeyaretnam’s “sparring partner”

Was LKY more open to persuasion than we think?

What it takes to recruit capable Ministers

DEFCO: Overseeing national security

Constitutional institutions due for a refresh?

Balancing ministerial duties and family life

The former senior minister unveils the robust Cabinet debates over three defining institutions published in a new book.

Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each Wednesday, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day.

Governing Singapore today is a tough task, made more difficult by frequent comparisons with the immediate post-independence decades - a period dominated by the towering figure of founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. 

Yet was Lee more open to persuasion than we realise? Was governing Singapore far more complex, nuanced and more akin to a team sport? What enabled the Singapore Cabinet to have vociferous debates on policy including the Elected Presidency, the Group Representation Constituency and the Non-Constituency Member of Parliament?

And after recent developments and the power of hindsight, would one of their chief architects say they’re due for a refresh?

These are the subjects of the book Creating Three Unique Singapore Laws: An Inside Story by S. Jayakumar, launched on Aug 12.

In an exclusive hour-long podcast with The Straits Times opinion editor Lin Suling, he opens up on Cabinet deliberations and sheds light on a milieu in Singapore’s history after the 1981 Anson by-election, which sparked the creation of three powerful institutions that have become indelible parts of Singapore’s political system. 

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:44 Are recent resignations of minority Members of Parliament a setback for the GRC system? Is the GRC system due for a review?

12:58 Has public understanding on the limits of the Elected Presidency improved?

21:21 Was the NCMP scheme created to secure the ruling People’s Action Party’s dominance in Parliament?

29:26 Do PAP backbenchers pull their punches in Parliament? What was it like being J B Jeyaretnam’s “sparring partner”?

31:36 Was Lee Kuan Yew actually more open to persuasion than Singaporeans realise?

33:10 What allowed Lee’s Cabinet to have such vociferous debates? Does S Jayakumar worry about political correctness dampening discussions? What does it take to recruit capable Cabinet Ministers?

40:45 Why did a proposal on constitutional design go through DEFCO - the defence council overseeing national security?

44:00 Are any of Singapore's constitutional institutions due for a refresh? 

46:59 How did S Jayakumar balance heavy ministerial portfolios with constituency duties in Bedok and family life?

Creating Three Unique Singapore Laws: An Inside Story is published by Straits Times Press and available for $38.90 (excluding GST) at major bookstores and online at https://www.stbooks.sg/

Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH

Follow Lin Suling on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/hiLQ

Host: Lin Suling (linsuling@sph.com.sg)

Produced and edited by: Teo Tong Kai

Executive producers: Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong

Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb

Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV

YouTube: https://str.sg/GjMT

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 

Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts 

---

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The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

---

#inyouropinion

The former senior minister unveils the robust Cabinet debates over three defining institutions published in a new book.
Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each Wednesday, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day.
Governing Singapore today is a tough task, made more difficult by frequent comparisons with the immediate post-independence decades - a period dominated by the towering figure of founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.&nbsp;
Yet was Lee more open to persuasion than we realise? Was governing Singapore far more complex, nuanced and more akin to a team sport?&nbsp;What enabled the Singapore Cabinet to have vociferous debates on policy including the Elected Presidency, the Group Representation Constituency and the Non-Constituency Member of Parliament?
And after recent developments and the power of hindsight, would one of their chief architects say they&rsquo;re due for a refresh?
These are the subjects of the book Creating Three Unique Singapore Laws: An Inside Story by S. Jayakumar, launched on Aug 12.
In an exclusive hour-long podcast with The Straits Times opinion editor Lin Suling, he opens up on Cabinet deliberations and sheds light on a milieu in Singapore&rsquo;s history after the 1981 Anson by-election, which sparked the creation of three powerful institutions that have become indelible parts of Singapore&rsquo;s political system.&nbsp;
Highlights (click/tap above):
1:44 Are recent resignations of minority Members of Parliament a setback for the GRC system? Is the GRC system due for a review?
12:58 Has public understanding on the limits of the Elected Presidency improved?
21:21 Was the NCMP scheme created to secure the ruling People&rsquo;s Action Party&rsquo;s dominance in Parliament?
29:26 Do PAP backbenchers pull their punches in Parliament? What was it like being J B Jeyaretnam&rsquo;s &ldquo;sparring partner&rdquo;?
31:36 Was Lee Kuan Yew actually more open to persuasion than Singaporeans realise?
33:10 What allowed Lee&rsquo;s Cabinet to have such vociferous debates? Does S Jayakumar worry about political correctness dampening discussions? What does it take to recruit capable Cabinet Ministers?
40:45 Why did a proposal on constitutional design go through DEFCO - the defence council overseeing national security?
44:00 Are any of Singapore's constitutional institutions due for a refresh?&nbsp;
46:59 How did S Jayakumar balance heavy ministerial portfolios with constituency duties in Bedok and family life?
Creating Three Unique Singapore Laws: An Inside Story is published by Straits Times Press and available for $38.90 (excluding GST) at major bookstores and online at <a href="https://www.stbooks.sg/">https://www.stbooks.sg/</a>
Read ST&rsquo;s Opinion section: <a href="https://str.sg/w7sH">https://str.sg/w7sH</a>
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Inside disguised retrenchments: An employment lawyer on how companies force workers out

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