A mural depicting a young samsui woman holding a smoking cigarette on the exterior of 297 South Bridge Road has sparked a debate online about public complaints and the censorship of street art.

Some say the order limits one’s artistic freedom, while others have called the mural offensive.

But where do we draw the line between censorship and the freedom of expression through art?

We find out from Shawn Hoo, Arts Journalist, The Straits Times.

A mural depicting a young samsui woman holding a smoking cigarette on the exterior of 297 South Bridge Road has <a href="https://www.straitstimes.com/life/arts/ura-order-to-censor-offensive-mural-of-samsui-woman-with-cigarette-sparks-online-debate">sparked a debate online </a>about public complaints and the censorship of street art.
Some say the order limits one’s artistic freedom, while others have called the mural offensive.
But where do we draw the line between censorship and the freedom of expression through art?
We find out from <a href="https://www.straitstimes.com/authors/shawn-hoo">Shawn Hoo</a>, Arts Journalist, The Straits Times.

Money Matters is your guide to navigating the day's most important topics, from politics and current affairs to wealth management and trending issues. Every evening, the team delivers insightful discussions on business news, market movements, and the latest in alternative assets. Whether navigating the political landscape, understanding the economy, or uncovering emerging investment opportunities, Money Matters keeps you informed and ahead of the curve. Tune in daily to Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian from 4 pm to 7 pm on MONEY FM 89.3.

Money Matters is your guide to navigating the day's most important topics, from politics and current affairs to wealth management and trending issues. Every evening, the team delivers insightful discussions on business news, market movements, and the latest in alternative assets. Whether navigating the political landscape, understanding the economy, or uncovering emerging investment opportunities, Money Matters keeps you informed and ahead of the curve. Tune in daily to Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian from 4 pm to 7 pm on MONEY FM 89.3.

Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian (4pm - 7pm)

What's Trending: Samsui woman debate — who has the mural high ground?

Art is often celebrated as "a freedom of expression," a boundless medium through which individuals convey their thoughts, emotions, and perspectives.

But how free is this expression when government regulations intervene, potentially stifling artistic creativity? Can art truly thrive in an environment where it is subjected to oversight and control?

Consider the case of the Samsui mural.

The artwork, which depicted a Samsui woman - a historic icon of resilience - holding a cigarette, faced demands for alteration or removal, since it clashed with societal norms and regulatory concerns.

Does Singapore impose excessive constraints on artistic expression? And is there even a need to regulate art in the first place?

On The Hot Seat, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Ryan Su, OC Queen Street, The Ryan Foundation, and Michelle Lim, Assistant Professor, NTU School of Humanities.

Art is often celebrated as "a freedom of expression," a boundless medium through which individuals convey their thoughts, emotions, and perspectives.
But how free is this expression when government regulations intervene, potentially stifling artistic creativity? Can art truly thrive in an environment where it is subjected to oversight and control?
Consider the case of the Samsui mural.
The artwork, which depicted a Samsui woman - a historic icon of resilience - holding a cigarette, faced demands for alteration or removal, since it clashed with societal norms and regulatory concerns.
Does Singapore impose excessive constraints on artistic expression? And is there even a need to regulate art in the first place?
On The Hot Seat, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Ryan Su, OC Queen Street, The Ryan Foundation, and Michelle Lim, Assistant Professor, NTU School of Humanities.

The Hot Seat: Should the government regulate art?

Singapore stocks opened lower today, following another downbeat session on Wall Street as the US Federal Reserve’s hawkish pivot continued to weigh on sentiment.

In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) had fallen 0.5 per cent to 3,743.96 points after 30.8 million securities transacted across the broader market.

In terms of counters to watch, we have CapitaLand Investment and CapitaLand Ascott Trust. That’s after CapitaLand Investment sold stapled securities in CapitaLand Ascott Trust for S$162 million to an unrelated party.

Elsewhere, from more on Japanese inflation rising more than expected last month, to what to expect ahead of the release of US personal consumption expenditures tonight – more international headlines remain in focus. 

Also on deck – Beijing calling on AstraZeneca to expand its research and development investment in the city despite an ongoing probe against some of its executives.

Plus – a quick look at MayBank’s take on what to watch in 2025.

On Market View, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Eddy Loh, Chief Investment Officer, Maybank Group Wealth Management.

Singapore stocks opened lower today, following another downbeat session on Wall Street as the US Federal Reserve&rsquo;s hawkish pivot continued to weigh on sentiment.
In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) had fallen 0.5 per cent to 3,743.96 points after 30.8 million securities transacted across the broader market.
In terms of counters to watch, we have CapitaLand Investment and CapitaLand Ascott Trust. That&rsquo;s after CapitaLand Investment sold stapled securities in CapitaLand Ascott Trust for S$162 million to an unrelated party.
Elsewhere, from more on Japanese inflation rising more than expected last month, to what to expect ahead of the release of US personal consumption expenditures tonight &ndash; more international headlines remain in focus.&nbsp;
Also on deck &ndash; Beijing calling on AstraZeneca to expand its research and development investment in the city despite an ongoing probe against some of its executives.
Plus &ndash; a quick look at MayBank&rsquo;s take on what to watch in 2025.
On Market View, The Evening Runway&rsquo;s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Eddy Loh, Chief Investment Officer, Maybank Group Wealth Management.

Market View: Expectations ahead of US PCE numbers; Odds of US government shutdown; Earnings from FedEx, Nike; Beijing calls on AstraZeneca to expand R&D investment; Japan’s core inflation accelerated in November; CapitaLand Investment sells stapled securities in CapitaLand Ascott Trust and more 

“Reflexivity” theory suggests that investors base their decisions on perceptions and expectations that can be off the mark from reality. But there are portfolio dangers when the dichotomy between expectations and reality becomes extreme. So how is reflexivity playing in markets right now? How are high expectations of growth in markets affecting investors' portfolios? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Desmond Chua, Investment Counselor, Citigold Private Client, Citibank Singapore, to find out more.

&ldquo;Reflexivity&rdquo; theory suggests that investors base their decisions on perceptions and expectations that can be off the mark from reality. But there are portfolio dangers when the dichotomy between expectations and reality becomes extreme. So how is reflexivity playing in markets right now? How are high expectations of growth in markets affecting investors' portfolios? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Desmond Chua, Investment Counselor, Citigold Private Client, Citibank Singapore, to find out more.

What's Trending: Samsui woman debate — who has the mural high ground?

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