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 FM 89.3 is Singapore’s first and only Business and Personal Finance station. MONEY FM is a 24-hour English talk format station featuring local and international business and financial news. We provide you with financial market and currency updates and insights from analysts, economists, policy makers, industry experts and business owners.

In the lighter hours, listen to discussions on social issues and features on topics that include health, education, arts and music.

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore&rsquo;s first and only Business and Personal Finance station. MONEY FM is a 24-hour English talk format station featuring local and international business and financial news. We provide you with financial market and currency updates and insights from analysts, economists, policy makers, industry experts and business owners.
In the lighter hours, listen to discussions on social issues and features on topics that include health, education, arts and music.

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore’s first and only Business and Personal Finance station.

MONEY FM 89.3

Your evening guide to the day's most important topics — navigate the key events in politics, business, markets, wealth management, and top investment opportunities. Keeps you informed and ahead of the curve, daily.

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

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

On What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Alexandra Parada dive into China’s “doll mummy” craze where young women treat cotton dolls like real babies, celebrating birthdays, dressing them in designer outfits, and even taking them on holidays.

And for football fans, would you refuse a haircut until your team won five games in a row? Manchester United fan Frank Ilett has been doing exactly that for 493 days, turning a viral joke into millions of followers, brand deals, and a fundraising campaign for children with cancer.

On What&rsquo;s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Alexandra Parada dive into China&rsquo;s &ldquo;doll mummy&rdquo; craze where young women treat cotton dolls like real babies, celebrating birthdays, dressing them in designer outfits, and even taking them on holidays.
And for football fans, would you refuse a haircut until your team won five games in a row? Manchester United fan Frank Ilett has been doing exactly that for 493 days, turning a viral joke into millions of followers, brand deals, and a fundraising campaign for children with cancer.

What’s Trending: Manchester United fan goes 493 days without a haircut and people in China are treating dolls like real babies

Do you invest in what you know - the brands you recognise, the markets you’ve followed for years, the sectors that feel safe? You’re not alone. But today, we’re asking: does familiarity actually make your portfolio safer… or riskier? And how can investors tell when diversification is only superficial?

On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Jason Tan, Portfolio Manager at PhillipCapital, for the latest.

Do you invest in what you know - the brands you recognise, the markets you&rsquo;ve followed for years, the sectors that feel safe? You&rsquo;re not alone. But today, we&rsquo;re asking: does familiarity actually make your portfolio safer&hellip; or riskier? And how can investors tell when diversification is only superficial?
On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Jason Tan, Portfolio Manager at PhillipCapital, for the latest.

Wealth Tracker: Are you really diversified or just stuck in your comfort zone?

Singapore shares inched higher today to track movements in the region.

The Straits Times Index was up 0.39% at 4,983.73 points at 2.21pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$1.44B seen in the broader market.

In terms of companies to watch today, we have CapitaLand Investment, after the real asset manager sank into the red with a net loss of S$142 million for its second half ended Dec 31, 2025, reversing from net profit of S$148 million in the previous corresponding period. 

Elsewhere, from a lookahead to Singapore Budget 2026 Statement, to how China’s factory deflation eased more than expected in January, more economic headlines remained in focus. 
 
On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Dan Chang, Investment Specialist and Trading Representative, PhillipCapital.

Singapore shares inched higher today to track movements in the region.
The Straits Times Index was up 0.39% at 4,983.73 points at 2.21pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$1.44B seen in the broader market.
In terms of companies to watch today, we have CapitaLand Investment, after the real asset manager sank into the red with a net loss of S$142 million for its second half ended Dec 31, 2025, reversing from net profit of S$148 million in the previous corresponding period.&nbsp;
Elsewhere, from a lookahead to Singapore Budget 2026 Statement, to how China&rsquo;s factory deflation eased more than expected in January, more economic headlines remained in focus.&nbsp; &nbsp; On Market View, Money Matters&rsquo; finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Dan Chang, Investment Specialist and Trading Representative, PhillipCapital.

Market View: Looking ahead to Singapore Budget 2026; Rebound in stock markets slows down; China’s factory deflation eased more than expected in January; ByteDance reportedly developing AI chip, in talks with Samsung Electronics to manufacture it; CapitaLand Investment, Wing Tai to watch

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

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