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Few know that Christmas Island was once run from Singapore, complete with Singaporean schools, homes, and food. But in 1958, a $20 million deal was struck with Australia to transfer ownership of the island. In this episode, we tell the story of the island’s colonial tug-of-war, the politics behind its “sale,” and why visiting today feels like stepping into a 1960s version of home.

Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny).

Credits:

Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani)
Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet)
Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi

If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardenise

Few know that Christmas Island was once run from Singapore, complete with Singaporean schools, homes, and food. But in 1958, a $20 million deal was struck with Australia to transfer ownership of the island. In this episode, we tell the story of the island&rsquo;s colonial tug-of-war, the politics behind its &ldquo;sale,&rdquo; and why visiting today feels like stepping into a 1960s version of home.
Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny).
Credits:
Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani) Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet) Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi
If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.
Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardenise

Hosted by the dynamic duo behind Ministry of Funny and Yah Lah But... - Haresh Tilani & Terence Chia - "Tell You First" is an edutainment podcast that aims to dive into a fascinating array of topics you never knew you needed to know.

And the fun doesn't stop there—sometimes, we bring in special guests to join the laughter! Tune in for a one-of-a-kind blend of comedy and knowledge, and uncover a world of captivating insights that will leave you both enlightened and entertained.

Produced by Ministry of Funny, and brought to you by Mediacorp

The views and opinions shared during this podcast series are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of Mediacorp Pte. Ltd. or its group of companies.

Hosted by the dynamic duo behind Ministry of Funny and Yah Lah But... - Haresh Tilani &amp; Terence Chia - "Tell You First" is an edutainment podcast that aims to dive into a fascinating array of topics you never knew you needed to know.
And the fun doesn't stop there&mdash;sometimes, we bring in special guests to join the laughter! Tune in for a one-of-a-kind blend of comedy and knowledge, and uncover a world of captivating insights that will leave you both enlightened and entertained.
Produced by Ministry of Funny, and brought to you by Mediacorp
The views and opinions shared during this podcast series are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of Mediacorp Pte. Ltd. or its group of companies.

Tell You First

Hosted by the dynamic duo behind Ministry of Funny and Yah Lah But... - Haresh Tilani & Terence Chia - "Tell You First" is an edutainment podcast that aims to dive into a fascinating array of topics you never knew you needed to know.

And the fun doesn't stop there—sometimes, we bring in special guests to join the laughter! Tune in for a one-of-a-kind blend of comedy and knowledge, and uncover a world of captivating insights that will leave you both enlightened and entertained.

Hosted by the dynamic duo behind Ministry of Funny and Yah Lah But... - Haresh Tilani &amp; Terence Chia - "Tell You First" is an edutainment podcast that aims to dive into a fascinating array of topics you never knew you needed to know.
And the fun doesn't stop there—sometimes, we bring in special guests to join the laughter! Tune in for a one-of-a-kind blend of comedy and knowledge, and uncover a world of captivating insights that will leave you both enlightened and entertained.

How Singapore Lost an Island in a “Crabby” Deal

Long before Chinatown became known for its historic temples and colourful shophouses, its streets were controlled by secret societies fighting over turf, vice money, and influence. What began as migrant aid networks slowly morphed into violent gangs, stretching their reach from Chinatown’s back alleys to European drug routes. In this episode, we explore how Singapore’s underworld grew deeper and more organised than most people realise, the rise of infamous figures like Lim Ban Lim and “Mr Big,” and the brutal turf wars of the 1970s and 80s before sweeping new laws finally pushed the scene underground.

 

Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny).

 

Credits:

Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani)
Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet)
Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi

 

If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

 

Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardenise

Long before Chinatown became known for its historic temples and colourful shophouses, its streets were controlled by secret societies fighting over turf, vice money, and influence. What began as migrant aid networks slowly morphed into violent gangs, stretching their reach from Chinatown&rsquo;s back alleys to European drug routes. In this episode, we explore how Singapore&rsquo;s underworld grew deeper and more organised than most people realise, the rise of infamous figures like Lim Ban Lim and &ldquo;Mr Big,&rdquo; and the brutal turf wars of the 1970s and 80s before sweeping new laws finally pushed the scene underground.
&nbsp;
Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny).
&nbsp;
Credits:
Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani) Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet) Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi
&nbsp;
If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.
&nbsp;
Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardenise

When Gangs Ruled Chinatown

What began as a celebrity Muay Thai match featuring Steven Lim spiralled into one of Singapore’s darkest sporting moments when bodybuilder Pradip Subramanian collapsed after stepping in as a last minute replacement. Together with Julian Wong from Rice Media, author of Steven Lim: One Last Shot at Fame, we uncover the rushed decisions, the missing safeguards and the tragic chain of events that transformed a publicity stunt into a national tragedy.

 

Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny).

 

Credits:

 

Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani)
Guest - Julian Wong 
Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet)
Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi

 

If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

 

Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardenise

What began as a celebrity Muay Thai match featuring Steven Lim spiralled into one of Singapore&rsquo;s darkest sporting moments when bodybuilder Pradip Subramanian collapsed after stepping in as a last minute replacement. Together with Julian Wong from Rice Media, author of&nbsp;Steven Lim: One Last Shot at Fame,&nbsp;we uncover the rushed decisions, the missing safeguards and the tragic chain of events that transformed a publicity stunt into a national tragedy.
&nbsp;
Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny).
&nbsp;
Credits:
&nbsp;
Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani) Guest - Julian Wong&nbsp; Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet) Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi
&nbsp;
If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.
&nbsp;
Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardenise

Steven Lim and the Fatal Fight

Before Katong had cafes and condos, it had a cattle baron who built a seaside palace complete with a tower, fountains and a private football field. Step inside the strangest building in Katong and discover how a teenage money changer became Singapore’s Cattle King, and the scandals that turned his mansion into a site of glamour and crime.

 

Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny).

 

Credits:

 

Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani)
Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet)
Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi

 

If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

 

Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardenise

Before Katong had cafes and condos, it had a cattle baron who built a seaside palace complete with a tower, fountains and a private football field. Step inside the strangest building in Katong and discover how a teenage money changer became Singapore&rsquo;s Cattle King, and the scandals that turned his mansion into a site of glamour and crime.
&nbsp;
Tell You First is an original podcast produced by Mediacorp and Ministry of Funny (@ministryoffunny).
&nbsp;
Credits:
&nbsp;
Hosted and Produced by Terence Chia (@tchia) and Haresh Tilani (@hareshtilani) Sound Engineering - Tristen Yeak (@yeakstreet) Commissioning Editor - Danny Koordi
&nbsp;
If you would like to listen to more, you can follow the podcast on the Melisten App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.
&nbsp;
Podcast artwork by Denise Nicole Yap, you can reach her on Instagram @deniseardenise

How Singapore Lost an Island in a “Crabby” Deal

Tell You First

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