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Despite working full-time jobs, this duo started a cafe in TTDI for fitness enthusiasts

If you were already working a full-time job, would you be willing to run another business that requires an equal amount of commitment on the side?

And not just that, one that requires your attention seven days a week?

Well, they can’t speak for everyone, but for Carly and Min, the answer is a resounding “yes.”

“For me, Trailside Treats is a passion project,” shared Carly.

“I love trail running, I spend a lot of time in Bukit Kiara, and I wanted somewhere to hang out with friends on a weekend.”

Roll all that together, and you get their latest F&B venture in TTDI, Trailside Treats.

A second wind

Carly, who was born in the UK, graduated with a bachelor’s in film and media as well as a master’s in international events management.

She works in the education sector, where her job involves recruiting students from Asia to study over in Europe. It’s a role that requires extensive travel across the continent, of which has been her home for the past nine years.

“While I was living in Vietnam, I decided to open a vegan café and small fitness centre, called The Active Hub,” she mentioned.

This would be her first taste of F&B, however, COVID troubles would see the business close its doors after only a year of operation.

“When I relocated back to Malaysia, I really wanted to do something similar, but I never really found the time,” she added.

“I am quite often working outside of the country, and was worried I wouldn’t have the time to commit to something like this alone.”

Enter her business partner and fellow fitness enthusiast, Min.

A Malaysian local, Min works in B2B tech, helping startups grow and retain revenue.

Prior to that, he was studying liberal arts in the US before, like Carly, starting a vegan business of his own following his graduation.

Named Flourish Food, it was a vegan food delivery service opened around the time DoorDash and Uber Eats had just started to gain traction.

“I decided to take the entrepreneurship route rather than getting a job at a huge MNC because I didn’t want to be another candidate in the H1-B work visa lottery,” he explained.

He is, in his own words, the kind of person that prefers “taking control of his own luck,” after all.

“When I met Min, I told him about The Active Hub and he was really interested in learning more and together we started to explore the idea of opening a business,” said Carly.

“We both wanted to create a community where we could host trail runners and fitness enthusiasts, and so we decided to move forward with the idea of the café.”

There was, however, one small problem. They’d need a venue.

A dual-purpose

Among everything else, finding a good location for Trailside Treats proved to be the most difficult challenge for the pair when starting out.

“We knew we could work with whatever space we were given, but it just took us a really long time to find it,” Carly explained.

It is by no exaggeration then, that they refer to their current space in Wisma WIM a “blessing.” 

Quite miraculously, it is only five minutes away from the Bukit Kiara trailhead.

“We negotiated with the building management to allow us to install an outdoor shower, so trail runners and hikers have a place to freshen up,” Min added.

Towels and toiletries are provided by Trailside Treats free of charge, and an ice bath is even available for use on the premises.

But these athlete-centric amenities are of course only one side of the story. Trailside Treats is a cafe after all.

“My personal favourite has to be the lontong,” shared Carly. “We serve an athlete-sized portion, so it’s super filling, especially after a long morning out on the trails.” 

Min on the other hand has a particular soft spot for their sandwiches and smoothies, both of which happen to be their best sellers.

“We use quality and wholesome ingredients to make sure our customers are getting the best nutrition for them to refuel and recover after their workout, or power their training,” he added.

One for all

While Trailside Treats’ primary target audience may be athletes and fitness enthusiasts, Carly also noted that they want to encourage all who happen to find themselves on Bukit Kiara’s trails as well as the residents of the area to drop by for a visit too.

Growing their community, not their brand, appears to be the immediate short-term goal for the business.

“We love seeing our friends come to visit, but we are also particularly excited when we see new faces come in to enjoy our food and drinks,” said Carly.

“We deliberately chose to grow organically through word of mouth and are happy to see returning customers coming back to enjoy not only our food and drinks, but also the comfortable and welcoming space where they can hang out with their friends,” Min added.

It must also be said that joining a community like what Trailside Treat has could prove beneficial to you as well.

Reaching out to others when you’re down on motivation is a particular piece of advice that Carly shared for those looking to kickstart their fitness journey.

• Learn more about Trailside Treats here.
• Read other articles we’ve written about F&B businesses here.

Also Read: This global real estate firm is expanding to KL to help local agents achieve their ambitions

Featured Image Credit: Trailside Treats

Nearly 50% of tech roles in Singapore saw salary cuts in 2024—even AI-related positions

Amid ongoing layoffs and hiring freezes, the tech industry continues to face uncertainty—and Singapore hasn’t been spared.

Salaries have taken a hit across the board, with almost 50% of tech roles (7 out of 16) across the city-state seeing a decline in 2024, according to Nodeflair’s annual tech salary report.

This includes AI-related positions, which, despite increased investment in the industry, have also seen salary cuts.

Here’s a breakdown of the report and the overall compensation changes for tech roles in Singapore:

Disclaimer: Salary data are derived from Nodeflair’s proprietary data base of over 130,000 data points, including user submissions that are verified by documents (payslips and offer letter) as well as job advertisements from various job portals for the year 2024. While a majority of the entries are backed by a sizeable amount of data, Nodeflair has flagged out entries with less than 200 data points as potentially lacking accuracy.

Roles with overall salary decreases

Based on the report, the role that has seen the highest pay cut is cybersecurity engineers, with their pay dipping by 4.6% in 2024.

This is followed by systems analysts, quality assurance, data analysts, data engineers, data scientists, and mobile engineers.

Interestingly, despite the surge in AI’s popularity in 2024, salaries for AI-related roles in Singapore (particularly data-focused positions) dipped by 1.2% to 2.4%, marking a sharp contrast to the 11.3% year-on-year growth seen in 2023.

Roles with overall salary increases

But it’s not all doom and gloom for the tech industry—some roles still saw salary growth, with game engineers leading the pack with a 28% year-on-year increase.

Other tech roles that have seen an uptick in salaries besides game engineers include solutions engineers, SysOps, systems engineers, blockchain engineers, product managers, software engineers, site reliability engineers and DevOps.

Software engineers—who make up the largest share of tech professionals in Singapore—saw their salaries rebound with a 3.3% year-on-year increase, reversing the 1.0% dip from last year.

This growth may be linked to rising demand for the role. While AI investments have surged, many projects now rely on OpenAI’s ready-made tools, reducing the need for data specialists to build models from scratch.

As a result, there’s greater demand for traditional software engineers to develop and integrate these tools—which could also explain the dip in salaries for specialised data roles.

Companies that pay more than the median

Based on the report, it seems like the glamour of the tech industry is starting to fade.

However, if you’re still keen on a tech career, here are some of the most popular companies in Singapore (based on search data) and their salary offerings—most of which are higher than the median pay.

These companies could be worth considering if you’re looking for roles that offer competitive salaries and potential for growth. 

• You can access Nodeflair’s full report here.
• Read other articles we’ve written on Singapore’s job trends here.

Also Read: 374,000 Singaporeans earn S$10,000 per month or more. Here’s who they are and what they do.

Featured Image Credit: Shadow of light / Shutterstock.jpg

How this Singaporean built his own hotel brand using decommissioned city buses

Staycations have long been the go-to for celebrating birthdays, enjoying weekend getaways, or making the most of school holidays.

But let’s be honest—the same old hotels and resorts can start to feel a little… monotonous. 

So when something truly different, like The Bus Collective, rolls into town (literally), it’s hard not to take notice.

The resort hotel offers “one-of-a-kind” retreats, and is said to be the first in Singapore and Southeast Asia to repurpose busses into accommodations—but who’s behind this innovative venture, and how did it all come to life?

A “second life”

Launched at Changi Village in November 2023, The Bus Collective was founded by Singaporean travel agency WTS Travel, in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) and the Singapore Land Authority (SLA).

The idea came from Micker Sia, the company’s director, who has spent over 35 years in the travel industry.

Seeing perfectly functional buses being discarded, he envisioned a way to give them a second life.

Moreover, with sustainable travel taking centre stage in today’s tourism landscape, it also seemed like the perfect opportunity to introduce a concept where people could “enjoy a memorable vacation while making a positive impact on the environment.”

But it’s not as simple as it sounds

To kickstart the venture, MTI’s Pro-Enterprise Panel had supported WTS in securing a suitable space and facilitated discussions with the SLA and Singapore Tourism Board.

They also worked together to identify buses that met the structural and safety requirements for conversion into hotel accommodations. In the end, they selected 20 Scania public buses, which were previously operated by SBS Transit, for the project.

However, transforming decommissioned buses into guest rooms isn’t as simple as just applying a few coats of paint and adding some new cushions.

While certain elements were retained, including the windows, driver’s seats, and steering wheels to give guests an “immersive experience,” each bus had to be completely gutted, with old seats and fixtures removed.

The frames of the decommissioned buses also needed to be reinforced to support their new function as guest accommodations.

All in all, The Bus Collective’s development spanned about two years from conceptualisation to launch, shared Micker.

Rooms start at just S$200

All rooms at The Bus Collective measure 45 square metres, though they come in different configurations—some have king-sized beds, while others feature bunk beds or are designed for accessibility, including a room with a wheelchair-friendly toilet located just outside.

At launch, the hotel’s room rates started at a relatively steep S$398 per night. Today, however, prices have been adjusted, with rates now starting from just S$200.

When asked about the price revision, Micker explained that they are “gradually adjusting [their] offerings to better align with market demand.”

Although he chose to remain tight-lipped about the company’s revenue figures, he shared that The Bus Collective has observed a “steady month-on-month increase in bookings” since June last year.

The hotel is particularly popular with families with young children, but it has also begun attracting the attention of companies as well as couples. However, Micker noted that this growth “may not be solely attributed to the price reductions.”

The Bus Collective adjusts our pricing dynamically based on seasonality, with higher fares during peak travel periods such as holidays and summer vacations, and lower rates during off-peak seasons to attract more guests. As a result, the growth may not be solely attributed to price adjustments. 

Micker Sia, Director of WTS Travel and The Bus Collective

-//-

Looking ahead, The Bus Collective plans to further enhance its “guest experience and offerings.”

Back in 2023, Micker also shared in an interview with The Straits Times that he envisioned extending the concept of repurposing retired buses to adjacent plots of land in Changi Village, and potentially to outlying islands such as Pulau Ubin, Kusu Island, St John’s Island, and Lazarus Island.

However, there are commercial considerations that present challenges, such as securing long-term tenure for the land and forming strategic partnerships with both public and private organisations to enhance the experience for local and international visitors to Singapore.

Nevertheless, Micker believes that the concept has the “potential to resonate with audiences in other locations or regions,” and remains “open to exploring new opportunities for growth and innovation” in the future.

• Find out more about The Bus Collective here.
• Read other articles we’ve written about Singaporean startups here.

Also Read: This S’porean worked 3 jobs to fund her jewellery biz, now it fully occupies 3 storeys

Featured Image Credit: The Bus Collective

“Nothing matters as much as the vote”: Political analyst Prof Walid gets real about GE2025

No matter your level of political interest, one thing is certain: Singapore’s general election must take place by November 2025.

As GE2025 approaches, it has become a key focus for both mainstream and alternative media, with analysts and experts offering insights and assessments. Among them is political analyst Professor Walid Jumblatt Bin Abdullah.

1. GE2025 results: Singapore’s confidence in the 4G leaders

Singapore’s incumbent political party, the People’s Action Party (PAP), faced a decline in vote share in GE2020 compared to GE2015, prompting Minister for Law and Home Affairs K. Shanmugam to remark that the party needed to do some “soul searching.”

However, five years on, Professor Walid believes significant changes have yet to materialise, stating that it has been “difficult” to see major shifts and expressing disappointment that no substantial structural reforms have been announced.

He also noted a historical trend: PAP’s vote share tends to dip when a new Prime Minister takes office. For instance, support fell by 2 to 3% when Mr Goh Chok Tong succeeded Mr Lee Kuan Yew, and in Mr Lee Hsien Loong’s first election as PM, the decline was sharper at 9%.

GE2025 will be the first election under Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, and the outcome will be interpreted as a referendum on the 4G leaders and on PM Wong, specifically.

If the PAP’s vote share was above 65%, that’ll be a brilliant, tremendous result. If it’s a 60 to 65%, I think it’s a good enough result, [PM Wong] can hold his head up high. I think if it’s below 60%—imagine if PAP’s vote share starts with 5, I think it would be quite a disaster.

Professor Walid

2. Is the government’s financial support adequate?

A study by Blackbox Research’s sentiment tracker, SensingSG, found that Singaporeans are increasingly focused on bread-and-butter issues leading up to the election. In response, PM Wong sought to make his mark from his first National Day Rally, introducing what appeared to be more progressive policies.

These included a whole new set of unemployment benefits, with certain caveats put in place, as well as extended parental leave.

When asked whether this approach would help or hurt the PAP, Professor Walid noted that the party has been shifting economically leftward since 2011, making it “difficult” to reverse course.

“It’s much easier to not give somebody something than to take it back once they have it.”

While there might be concerns about the long-term sustainability of government financial support measures, he emphasised that elections are not decided based on the viability of these policies.

Elections are about perceptions and how people feel about these policies.

Professor Walid

The psychological impact of inflation remains significant for Singaporeans. Professor Walid pointed to the rising prices of resale HDB flats since 2020 as an example. With HDB prices rising year after year, for younger voters, this “might be an issue that younger voters might be upset about.”

3. It’s still better to be the incumbent

Professor Walid noted that it has become increasingly difficult for the PAP to gain vote share, unlike in past elections when it held a monopoly over information through the media.

He also agreed with PM Wong’s remarks at the PAP’s biennial conference last November, where PM Wong acknowledged the challenge of recruiting “good candidates” due to the intense public scrutiny faced by political figures.

However, Professor Walid argued that opposition parties still face a steeper challenge, given their lower chances of electoral success. Despite the PAP’s difficulties, the advantage of incumbency remains.

The PAP has access to the civil service, to the mainstream media, to the trade unions, so all of these institutions are still aligned to the PAP.

So it’s harder to be the PAP in 2025 than in 1990, but I think it’s still harder to be an opposition in 2025 than to be the PAP in 2025.

Professor Walid

4. Nothing matters as much as your vote

With the rise of new media platforms such as social media and podcasts, more Singaporeans now have access to a wider range of content, including political discussions.

Professor Walid, who has his own podcast, hopes to increase political discourse and encourage others not to shy away from it due to its perceived “dirty” nature.

“[Some people say] ‘Oh, I don’t want to be political.’ Why? Be political!” he exclaimed, adding that he wants to show that it’s possible to have genuine disagreements without being overly disagreeable or polarising.

And he has a point—discussions like these help Singaporeans stay informed and engaged, ensuring that we make the most of our votes, something many often take for granted.

What should Singaporeans focus on when they go to the ballot boxes?

I think one of the things that voters do not understand in general is the value of their vote, or they understand but they don’t appreciate the gravity of it. And I always say this: your vote is the only language that politicians understand the most. Your letters matter, your activism matters, your Facebook comments matter, but nothing matters as much as the vote.

The vote is the ultimate endorsement or rejection of a party, so they must really think carefully about what signal they want to send and to whom it is delivered.

Professor Walid

Watch his full interview with The Daily Ketchup here:

Check out our GE2025 microsite for the latest election-related news, find out which constituency you belong to, and more here.

Also Read: “Every election is the PAP’s to lose”: Ex-NMP Calvin Cheng on Singapore’s political scene

Featured Image Credit: The Daily Ketchup, Graphic designed by Vulcan Post

8 fun trivia nights & quiz events in Klang Valley that are regularly held, and where to join

Most of us think we’re at least in the 50th percentile for intelligence. Yet not many of us get the chance to prove our wits out in the real world.

Enter quiz nights!

A fun little bonding activity for some, and for others, a high-stakes competition at which you risk bringing dishonour to your family.

Whatever you think about them, quiz nights are a great way of getting people to work together while appealing to one’s competitive drive.

That said, the culture of pub quizzes or trivia nights isn’t as big here in the local nightlife scene compared to places like the UK where they’re near-ubiquitous.

If you, like me, have struggled to find some trivia night events in Klang Valley, read on to find a quiz night event ideal for you and your peers.

1. KL Pub Quiz

Starting off, we have the “longest-running pub quiz” in the Klang Valley, the KL Pub Quiz. Cradled at the Goodfellas bar in Bukit Bintang, the quiz has gone on to be held at various venues around Hartamas and Damansara, before now being held at the Ronnie Q Pub & Restaurant in Bangsar.

For the last few years, it’s come under the umbrella of The Royal Society of St George, KL & Selangor, and as such, bookings can be made by contacting them here.

Schedule: Last Thursday of each month, at 8pm
Venue: Ronnie Q Pub, Bangsar
Participation fee: Free
Teams: Max. 6 players per team
Topics: Trivia

2. Ruff Love Malaysia

Animal lovers, this one’s for you! 

Ruff Love Malaysia is a collective of animal rescuers and lovers dedicated to rescuing stray and injured animals, taking them off the streets, and facilitating their adoption or fostering.

One way they’ve managed to raise funds is by hosting weekly quiz nights. So if you’re keen on having a fun trivia night with friends while donating to charity, Ruff Love’s quizzes are definitely one to look out for. Hit them up via Instagram if you’d like to make a booking.

Schedule: Wednesdays at 8.30pm
Venue: Grandstand Sports Bar, PJ
Participation fee: RM20 per person
Topics: Rotating, from general knowledge to focused topics like The Office or movies

3. Fast Sloth Quizzery

If you’re an active participant in the quiz night scene, you’ve probably heard of Fast Sloth Quizzery. They’re probably the most active group on here, running quizzes in multiple venues several times a week, with new locations popping up ever so often.

If you’re looking to win some free booze, Fast Sloth’s quizzes are definitely one to keep an eye on, with winners and runners-up taking home prizes like a bottle of champagne, a bucket of beers, and even bar vouchers. Bookings can be made via Instagram or through their number at 012-623 2452.

Schedule: Every other Sunday at Arthur’s Storehouse, Pavilion Bukit Jalil; Tuesdays at Lot TwentyTwo, Chow Kit; alternating Saturdays between Sage & Salt, PJ, and HUSH, TTDI.
*Do check out their social media for one-time quizzes or changes to their schedule
Participation Fee: RM10 per person
Teams: Max. 6 players per team
Topics: Rotating, from trivia to mythology to true crime

4. The Corkman Irish Bar & Restaurant

Run by a proud Irish, The Corkman Bar stays true to its roots, offering patrons showings of sports events, beers, and of course, pub quizzes. If you’re looking to participate, simply walk in and let the quiz master know!

Schedule: Wednesdays at 9pm
Venue: The Corkman Irish Bar, Changkat
Topics: Trivia and sports

5. Twenty Eight

From sports events showings to live music performances, Twenty Eight Bangsar offers regular patrons a steady mix of events and entertainment, including their weekly quiz nights.

Hosted by reputed quiz master, Quizmaster Ram, interested players can make their bookings via WhatsApp at 017-298 0912.

Schedule: Fridays at 8pm
Venue: Twenty Eight, Bangsar

6. W1 Bangsar

Bringing modern London dining to Bangsar, customers are treated to classic English cuisine and cocktails at W1.

Again, hosted by Quizmaster Ram, interested players can reserve their spot via the number 03-2201 5405 or 016-221 6512, and stand a chance to win prizes like a bottle of vodka, shots, or up to RM150 in cash.

Schedule: Tuesdays at 8.45pm
Venue: W1 Restaurant and Bar, Bangsar
Participation fee: RM10 per person
Teams: Max. 6 players per team

7. O2 SS4

With more than a decade of hosting, O2 pub at SS4 has a slew of experience in throwing the perfect quiz night.

Reservations can be made via call or WhatsApp at 03-7873 9066.

Schedule: Thursdays at 8.30pm
Venue: O2 SS4, PJ

8. The GoodFellas KL

Whether you’re there for the whiskey, the hearty meals, or just to watch a game, The GoodFellas at Jalan Changkat, Bukit Bintang have certainly lived up to their name, offering customers a warm environment filled with booming laughter and friendly staff.

If you’re looking to join their weekly quiz nights, be sure to make a booking for you and your team at 016-215 1841.

Schedule: Mondays at 8pm
Venue: The GoodFellas KL, Changkat

Whichever you’re looking to attend, be ready for a night of shouting over one another and laughing over ridiculous answers, and of course, learning new things.

• Read other articles we’ve written about the F&B industry here.

Also Read: This global real estate firm is expanding to KL to help local agents achieve their ambitions

Featured Image Credit: Images used under licence from Shutterstock

This M’sian built a regional retail brand & bagged US$1 mil in under a year—selling juice

Malaysia has always been home to a strong yumcha culture that has led to the proliferation of many beverage brands. There had been the boom of milk tea about a decade ago, and today, coffee shops are a dime a dozen. 

What’s the next big thing? Malaysian brand Being Juice is betting on juice being the answer. 

Meet the juicer

The man behind Being Juice is Sayantan Das. Originally from India, he spent most of his life in Singapore. 

With a background in finance, he has collected various professional experiences including a stint in the Singapore Exchange, a Jakarta SME, Tripadvisor, and even his own tech startup. 

“I decided to take a leap of faith and co-founded a startup with a friend from my high school in Singapore,” Say explained. “We launched an all-in-one crowdfunding and ecommerce platform, and this is where my experience in building and running a startup really came to the forefront.”

Unfortunately, this platform closed down after three years due to a lack of traction. 

But the experience was pivotal for Say, teaching him the fundamental skills needed to run a growing startup. From there, he began looking for opportunities that would further enhance his leadership skills. This was how he ended up as Managing Director at foodpanda.

After almost seven years there, he decided it was time for another change.

“I’ve always been passionate about starting and scaling businesses,” he said. “This led me to explore new opportunities where I could influence the direction and the strategy of the business from day one. Inevitably, this meant that I ventured out to launch another startup.”

Spotting a gap 

At foodpanda, Say witnessed the exponential growth of numerous beverage brands such as Malaysia’s Tealive and ZUS Coffee as well as international powerhouses such as Chagee and Mixue. 

These observations fueled Say’s curiosity to explore what could be the next big thing in the made-to-order beverages spaces. 

After hours of networking, brainstorming, and ideating, he came to a conclusion that customers were seeking healthier, fruit-centric beverages. 

However, the category of juices and smoothies in Malaysia is lacking, especially compared to other verticals. 

“I became convinced that there was a significant amount of product and brand innovation that could be driven around juices and smoothies, as I felt the market was underpenetrated and the timing was right to grow a fruit based beverages brand,” Say determined.

With that, Being Juice was formed. 

Becoming juice

Say also leveraged numerous other insights from foodpanda to offer a better product for Being Juice’s customers.

For one, he knows people today highly value convenience and efficiency. Especially in the QSR space, consumers expect to be served in five minutes or less. 

Understanding this, Being Juice prioritised efficiency from day one. Say shared that their drinks take just two and a half minutes to blend, and the team strives to serve all customers in five minutes or less. 

This is a notable feat, since Being Juice’s drinks are made to order. 

“We only blend fresh frozen ingredients, so as to retain the freshness and the nutritional value of the fruits and vegetables across our drinks,” Say explained. 

Growing the juice trend

Juice might seem like a simple product, but creating the perfect mix actually takes plenty of R&D efforts. 

“Right from the get go, we wanted to create drinks that are relatable and reflect the taste profile of Malaysians,” Say shared about their product development ethos. 

Using unique Asian ingredients such as longan and even edamame is one way the business aims to stand out. 

Moreover, Being Juice stays away from any artificial sweeteners and added sugars. For those with a sweet tooth, there’s the option to add honey at no additional cost.

Plus, Being Juice focuses on being digital first through its own app. 

You might be thinking—another app? Just how many do we need? Well, Say believes that Malaysians will still download their app if they feel it brings them a great experience. 

While Being Juice may have carved out a niche in the juice sector, can it really stand out against other beverage options? 

For Say, he’s confident that there is still room for beverage brands to grow and succeed in Malaysia and beyond, especially when these brands provide a healthier and more affordable alternative. 

Bagging the funds 

In January, it was announced that Being Juice bagged US$1 million in seed funding, a sizeable sum for a relatively new business.

Before bagging VC funds, though, the business self-funded its first few stores.

“After seeing encouraging early traction out the first few stores, we knew that we had come across early signs of what could potentially be a successful business,” Say explained. 

And to become successful, they must build more stores to get richer feedback from customers. 

To Say, this seemed like a perfect opportunity to raise external financing and bring in like-minded shareholders. “This is ultimately what led us to get funding from VC.”

A portion of the funds will go towards developing Being Juice’s consumer app. But most of the funds will be used to build more stores across Malaysia and the Philippines. 

By the end of 2025, they aim to hit between 15 to 20 sites, while potentially looking into another SEA country to launch Being Juice. 

Being bigger 

Even though the Malaysian juice brand only launched in April 2024, Being Juice had already expanded to Manila, Philippines in December 2024. 

“From the very start of our journey at Being Juice, we knew that we had to become a regional brand to be able to achieve the distribution and volumes that we wanted,” Say shared. 

The Philippines was their first pick due to its well-established juice and smoothie-drinking culture. Plus, Malaysian brands such as Tealive and ZUS Coffee have also enjoyed success by venturing into the Philippines recently. 

But beyond just the Philippines, Say’s vision is to become APAC’s largest consumer brand for fruit-centric F&B products. 

To reach this envisioned scale, Being Juice will have to diversify and enter different market segments, including but not limited to the consumer packaged goods (CPG) space. 

The team also plans to further innovate around their distribution channels, potentially setting up different selling points through formats such as vending machines. 

“We don’t have plans to offer franchising opportunities as of now, but this could change in the future if we find the right partner,” Say said. 

• Learn more about Being Juice here.
• Read other articles we’ve written about Malaysian startups here.

Also Read: This Sabahan serial entrepreneur built 6 brands, here’s his business playbook

Featured Image Credit: Being Juice

How the founders of this KL gym are making it less scary for people to start their fitness journeys

I get it.

The gym can be a scary space. Everyone looks like they know what they’re doing, and it’s embarrassing to mess up in front of all these seemingly accomplished, fit people. 

Then, of course, there’s the issue of figuring out which workouts you’re going to do, how many people are using the machine, how you’re going to use the machines, who you’re going to get to spot you, what’s gym etiquette, if your form’s stupid, if you look stupid… and the list goes on and on.

To the people at Good Juju Barbell Club (GJBC), these needn’t be things one has to worry about on their fitness journey.

A safe space

“Many people enter gyms feeling self-conscious, isolated, or pressured by unrealistic fitness standards or intimidating gym spaces.”

“I wanted to redefine what a gym could be: a social space, a wellness hub, and a community-driven movement,” said Sara Suhaili, one of the five founders of GJBC.

That was the vision behind GJBC, a beginner-friendly, non-intimidating wellness hub where you don’t have to worry about who’s looking at you or if you’re working out right.

Along with four others, the quintet went on to build their vision, funding the project with their own investments.

11 months of planning and research later, GJBC opened its doors, offering an all-in-one fitness centre complete with ample equipment, a cafe, and physiotherapy services.

“We know that walking into a gym, especially one that’s strength-focused, can feel intimidating or even scary for many beginners. That’s why we’ve intentionally designed our onboarding experience to meet people where they are, both physically and emotionally.”

“Every new member receives a one-on-one onboarding session where we get to know their goals, movement history, and how they’re feeling about stepping into this space,” Sara added.

Further, coaches are also trained to “meet members where they are,” taking into account a member’s progression and regression rates, motivation, and preferences.

Their biggest initiative, however, happens behind the scenes, where every single team member, whether coach, front desk staff, physiotherapist, or part of the cleaning team, is personally inducted by Sara.

“The goal is to align every department with our core cultural values so that we all understand the emotional landscape our members might be coming in with, whether it’s intimidation, fear, or just general discomfort, and how we can intentionally respond to that.”

“We talk through real pain points and how to show up in ways that make our space feel warm, safe, and human. It’s not just about coaching. It’s about making sure the music isn’t overwhelming, the greeting is genuine, and the energy feels inclusive. That’s how we make sure no one ever feels like just another face in the crowd,” Sara said.

And it doesn’t end there, for the promise of a people-friendly, inclusive space doesn’t just lie in GJBC’s big smiles and friendly banter, but also in their design and architecture.

In technicolour

“I had this thought where traditional strength training gyms are often very masculine and quite industrial. The current design is a direct reflection of our ethos—to be a safe space for those who always felt intimidated and anxious at a gym.” 

Whether you’re just a DC Mall visitor passing by their bright blue facade, or if you’re doing deadlifts with their colourful barbells, or even taking pics under smiley-face neon lights, GJBC has done well in extending their ethos to their physical space, providing their Jujubes, (what they call their members) with an uplifting, motivating ambiance seemingly straight out of a Wes Anderson movie.

“When you want to create fitness as a habit two to four times a week, you see your gym community more than you see many of your friends and family, so we wanted GJBC to be your supportive, welcoming, inclusive second home where you can feel comfortable doing the uncomfortable,” Sara added.

Safe to say, every aspect of the Good Juju Barbell Club is designed around providing interested gym-goers with a positive space and a supportive community, at a competitive price.

For first-timers, GJBC offers their first-leap promo, an introductory three-session package for RM99, which is a fairly affordable package when compared to other gym franchises with branches in the area.

Physiotherapy consultations are also relatively affordable, going as low as RM275 for an initial consultation, or RM389 for a consultation and a follow-up session.

For the Jujubes

Being the only gym studio in Klang Valley with more than 15,000 five-star reviews on Classpass, and nearly five stars on Google Reviews, the business appears well-loved by regular patrons and short-term visitors alike.

They even claimed that they had reached a seven-figure revenue within just four months of operations in 2022.

This positive reception and demand allowed GJBC to double their physical space just within the first year to accommodate their growing list of PT clients, and soon, triple, with plans already underway for more training, recovery, and community spaces as they turn three in June 2025.

And the GJBC team has no plans of slowing down.

They shared with us ambitious expansion plans from refining the member experience, to more wellness services and group classes, and even a whole new fitness segment, targeted at conditioning.

In the long term, Sara hopes to bring GJBC to new locations, bringing with each new outlet the brand’s signature ‘Good Juju’ to more people in search of their very own fitness community.

“Members come in expecting a gym; they leave feeling like part of a family, and we would love to bring this experience to more people around KL, and the world.”

• Learn more about Good Juju Barbell Club here.
• Read our other stories about startups here.

Also Read: This global real estate firm is expanding to KL to help local agents achieve their ambitions

Featured Image Credit: Good Juju Barbell Club

This S’porean drum teacher quit music to pursue a cybersecurity career, here’s how he did it

[This is a sponsored article with the Centre for Strategic Infocomm Technologies (CSIT).]

After spending nearly a decade in the music industry, Solomon Soh found himself at a crossroads.

Having stepped away from his job in a local drum school, the 32-year-old was unsure of what to do next—that was until he came across the CSIT Cyber Traineeship Programme (CCTP), which encouraged him to pursue a career in cybersecurity. 

Solomon had always been interested about cybersecurity, yet the industry seemed out of his reach. 

“I saw the cybersecurity industry as one with a high barrier to entry because of how complex and diverse technology is,” he shared. 

Despite lacking formal technical training and experience when he began, Solomon is now preparing for a role as a penetration tester at CSIT, where he will identify system vulnerabilities by simulating cyberattacks. 

Here’s how he navigated the transition and made this career shift possible.

His passion was sparked in school

Solomon’s interest in IT first began back in primary school when he joined his school’s computer club. There, he learnt basic skills, such as creating simple games, and soon began experimenting with web design on his own.

In the past, Solomon used to maintain personal websites. However, they were frequently targeted by cyberattacks, and he did not know how to protect them. 

Determined to safeguard his sites, he began researching about cybersecurity and ways to counter these attacks.

“As I researched the topic, I found it fascinating and enjoyed the learning process,” he recalled. “In my previous company, we relied on third-party software and systems, which I enjoyed scrutinising from a cybersecurity perspective.”

Despite his interest in computer security, the sheer complexity of cybersecurity stood as a barrier for Solomon—his main concern was whether he could handle the technical demands of a career switch into the industry. 

This is a highly sophisticated field, and I was worried about my ability to keep up.

Solomon Soh

Solomon felt that he needed many years of experience in IT to gain the necessary exposure before he could pivot into cybersecurity. 

He considered burning a hole in his pocket to take on courses and certifications, but the uncertainty of securing a job given his lack of relevant prior work experience dissuaded him from taking the plunge. 

After all, Solomon had often come across stories of people online who, despite earning ethical hacking credentials like the Offensive Security Certified Professional, struggled to land jobs due to their lack of industry experience. 

“A rare and valuable opportunity”

However, when Solomon came across an advertisement for the CSIT Cyber Traineeship Programme, he quickly identified it as a “rare and valuable opportunity” for him to pick up cybersecurity skills and make his dream career switch.

The six-month programme welcomed trainees without prior tech-related qualifications, making it an accessible pathway for him to transition into the industry.

Furthermore, candidates will earn an allowance while undergoing intensive training and could be employed as full-time CSIT engineers upon completion.

“[The programme] kept the end goal of securing CSIT employment in mind from the very beginning, even before enrollment, which helped me foster a stronger sense of job security—I’d even go as far as to say that there was no reason for me not to join CCTP,” shared Solomon. 

CSIT’s Cyber Traineeship Programme covers several key topics in cybersecurity, including Python Programming, Penetration Testing, and Network Fundamentals and Forensics, which provide a comprehensive foundation in the field.

The great thing about CCTP is that the content is really geared towards beginners. It gave me a chance to learn a lot about concepts and terminology related to cybersecurity.

Solomon Soh

Aside from technical education, Solomon shared that the self-directed learning portions of the programme pushed him to independently and proactively develop solutions with minimal assistance—a crucial trait for cybersecurity professionals to stay ahead of threat actors.

Throughout his training, Solomon has acquired hands-on experience working across both offensive (red team) and defensive (blue team) operations.

“The red team portion of CCTP focused on simulating adversaries using various public tools, [which deepened my] understanding of potential security threats,” he shared. 

“On the blue team side, we focused on digital forensics and incident response. Using digital tools like SysInternals, CFF Explorer, and API Monitor, we analysed real malware to understand their behaviours.”

Are you passionate about cybersecurity, too?

The CSIT Cyber Traineeship Programme (CCTP) is open not only to mid-career professionals like Solomon but also to those from other IT-related fields and even fresh graduates with no prior experience or formal training, providing an opportunity for all to break into the cybersecurity field. 

It is divided into two phases: for the first phase, starting in July 2025, trainees will receive rigorous guidance from a professional cybersecurity training partner, Red Alpha, while in the second phase, they will undergo practical skills training with CSIT’s cyber specialists. 

Following this, trainees will build upon the knowledge gained through the CCTP as they prepare for a career with CSIT—just as Solomon is now gearing up for his role as a penetration tester.

If you’re keen on starting a career in cybersecurity, applications for CCTP’s 2025 cohort are open until 30 April.

You can find out more and apply for the programme here.  

Also Read: 15 fastest-growing professions in S’pore, according to LinkedIn’s Jobs on the Rise 2025

Featured Image Credit: CSIT

This Wes Anderson-esque KL hotel served us aesthetics, but is it worth a full workcation at?

This is a workcation series where we personally visit and review hotels, resorts, and more, to find out how well they cater to digital nomads and hybrid professionals. 

Hotel highlights:

✓ Wes Anderson-inspired, Instagram-worthy interior design at every corner

✓ Central location that’s just a few minutes’ drive away from Mid Valley Megamall and The Gardens Mall

✓ Retro touches such as the vintage vinyl players and thrift corner

✓ Pastries and coffee available in the lounge

Even if you’re no cinephile, it’s likely that this hotel in KL will evoke famed director Wes Anderson’s art style. 

Stepping through The Très Hotel’s doors, I can almost hear the familiar tune of Obituary from The French Dispatch, which trended on TikTok some years back when everyone was romanticising their lives by pretending they’re in an Anderson picture. 

I can’t help but judge this book by its cover, though. Having had the privilege of enjoying numerous workcations in the past, I tend to find that boutique hotels—especially those that prioritise aesthetics—tend to fall short when it comes to the actual service aspect.  

Will The Très Hotel manage to prove me wrong? 

A retro escapade 

While looking past the beautiful facade is important in any hotel stay, there’s no doubt that most patrons of The Très Hotel come for the unique design. 

Tucked away in KL’s Taman Seputeh, which is in the Bangsar and Brickfields area, the hotel describes itself as a locally-owned, 86-room micro-boutique hotel. 

The building itself is rather old, and likely some other three-star hotel in the past. There appears to be other businesses inhabiting the building, too. More on the business’ history in a different article, though. 

Leveraging these old bones, the hotel taps into mid-century designs and retro aesthetics, much like Wes Anderson does in his films. 

The hotel graciously gave us two rooms for the night—the Rushmore Suite and the Deluxe Room. 

The Rushmore is certainly the more luxe offering, with a size of 40 sqm and a King-sized bed. On the other hand, the 25 sqm Deluxe Room is more of a standard hotel room with a double bed. 

Said to be ideal for couples and honeymooners, the Rushmore Suite features an open ensuite bathtub (yes, open) as well as a vintage vinyl player. 

The turntable was especially fun for us (who admittedly have never used a record player before). The selection of vinyls is actually pretty good too—we rotated through the whole collection during our stay. 

It was a little bit awkward navigating the bathroom situation, though. Since there were two of us in the room, we couldn’t quite use the bathtub freely. 

That much is fine, but there’s also an opening in the bathroom wall which means any noises, if you will, can be heard from the outside. But well, the room is recommended for couples for a reason. 

Speaking of the bathroom, the water for both the tub and the shower was incredibly cold and rather low pressure as well. The tub never warmed up, though the shower did eventually. However, we did find the towels and bedsheets to smell amazing. 

The spacious suite also has a private dining table. While suitable for work, I would say that the dedicated work desk in the Deluxe Room is a little better for that purpose. 

However, neither room has that many plug points, making it harder to get work done. If you’re expecting to do some work here, we recommend bringing your own extension cable. 

Frills, but only visually

Although the hotel offers maximalist aesthetics, the amenities are rather minimal. And as for facilities… Well, they’re pretty much non-existent. 

As a boutique hotel, it’s not too surprising that there aren’t many frills, but I would say that The Très Hotel’s are on the lower end, even for a boutique hotel. 

The only facility they offer is the lounge and coffee bar on the ground floor, which serves a limited range of pastries and drinks.

It also opens rather late in the day (10AM) meaning you wouldn’t be able to enjoy an early breakfast there. On our second day, they ended up opening late as they were waiting on the pastries from a central kitchen.

The pastries are also limited, and there aren’t any hot meals, so you’ll have to either order in or leave the hotel premises to eat. There are no restaurants in walking distance (technically, there are, but Malaysia’s roads do not permit a safe journey). Mid Valley Megamall or The Gardens Mall are your best bet for food. 

Given this “food desert,” it would’ve been great if The Très Hotel offered some hot meals. Especially since they market rooms as “ideal for couples” and even “honeymooners”, room service would have been a fantastic option to have. 

The lounge makes for a decent space to work, with some plug points available. However, most tables feature low cushioned chairs, making it more appropriate for chilling and chatting rather than working with a computer. That said, it does make for a good informal meeting spot. 

Note that they do play music here, though, as there’s another record player in the lounge. It’s a neat addition, though the symphonic music that was playing on the day of our visit was quite loud. 

One frill they do have is the photobooth, though it didn’t have any film left at the time of our visit. We still managed to get a photo session in though, and to our surprise, we didn’t have to pay to access the digital images. 

There was also a thrift corner, though it’s unclear how long this will remain. While small, it offered quite a nice selection of preloved items from outerwear to shoes for patrons—and other visitors—to browse through. 

On the bright side, the pricing matches the minimal amenities with a reasonable figure of around RM150 for the Deluxe Room. 

As for the Rushmore, it’s RM350, which fits its uniqueness as well as decent city location, but perhaps a bit pricey for the hotel’s services—or lack thereof.

It’s got its quirks 

At The Très Hotel, you should come for the quirkiness, and stay for… well, the quirkiness. 

While the city location makes it central to a lot of KL hot spots, it’s not the most accessible for those without cars. 

With these factors in mind, I wouldn’t consider The Très Hotel to be the perfect work escapade. Rather, it’s more suitable for getaways, whether that be for couples or solo travellers. 

I find that the hotel staff are jovial and friendly, and would certainly have a conversation or two with you should they be free. 

Instead of the traditional hospitality, they’re more casual and laidback here, without going above and beyond. I can respect and even appreciate this, but if you’re the kind of person who expects top-notch service and attentiveness, this is not the spot for you. 

So, would I workcation here again? Probably not, and that’s fine. But if you’re talking about a leisurely stay with a friend or a loved one, the answer is an easy yes (but only with the promise of piping hot water). 

• Learn more about The Très Hotel here.
• Read other workcation articles we’ve written about here.

Also Read: This HP smart printer proves that M’sian SMEs don’t have to break the bank for reliability

49 S’poreans are on Forbes’ 2025 Billionaire List. Who’s new & who are the top 10?

The Forbes 2025 list of the world’s richest people, which was released today (April 3), revealed that there are now more billionaires than ever: 3,028 in all, 247 more than last year.

Collectively, their net worth has skyrocketed to a staggering US$16.1 trillion, marking a massive increase from the US$2 trillion in 2024.

And the richest among them all is Tesla’s Chief Executive, Elon Musk, who took the crown this year with his total net worth valued at US$342 billion.

The 53-year-old is followed by three tech powerhouses: Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, coming in second at US$216 billion, followed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos at US$215 billion and Oracle CTO Larry Ellison at US$192 billion.

Among the world’s wealthiest, 49 Singaporeans have also made this year’s Forbes list—and out of the 49, we have compiled a list of the 10 wealthiest Singaporeans, and the five new entrants.

Here’s the list:

1. Goh Cheng Liang

Ranked #182 globally, Goh Cheng Liang is known to make most of his wealth from a majority stake in Japan’s Nippon Paint Holdings, which is the world’s fourth-largest paint manufacturer by revenue.

According to the list, the 97-year-old’s total net worth is valued at US$13 billion, an increase from US$12.7 billion in 2024, though his ranking dropped from #154 last year.

2. Li Xiting

Following closely behind Goh is Li Xiting, the co-founder of medical devices supplier Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics.

Li’s total net worth is valued at US$12.8 billion this year and ranks at #185 globally, a decrease from his US$15.1 billion in 2024, when he earned the title of the wealthiest Singaporean of the year.

3. Forrest Li

The third richest Singaporean on the list is Forrest Li, Chairman and CEO of Singapore’s first tech unicorn, Sea Limited—the company behind recognisable businesses such as gaming entertainment company Garena, ecommerce giant Shopee, and digital bank MariBank.

The Stanford graduate is ranked at #347 globally, with his total net worth valued at US$8.6 billion, a sharp increase from US$3.6 billion in 2024.

4 & 5. Philip and Robert Ng

A duo no stranger to the list, Philip and Robert Ng are Singapore’s fourth and fifth richest Singaporeans. The brothers are known to control Far East Organization—Singapore’s largest private landlord and property developer.

Both brothers’ total net worth increased from the 2024 list. Philip, the younger brother of the duo, is ranked #430 globally, with his total net worth valued at US$7.4 billion, and his older brother, Robert, is not too far behind at US$7.3 billion, ranking #443 globally.

6. Jason Chang

The only person in their 80s in the top 10, Jason Chang is the chairman of Taiwan’s ASE Technology Holding, a provider of independent semiconductor assembling and test manufacturing services.

While his total net worth remains at US$6.6 billion, his global ranking dropped from #417 in 2024 to #512 this year.

7. Zhang Yong

The seventh richest Singaporean and #512 on the list is Zhang Yong, the Chinese-born Singaporean business magnate behind the Haidilao restaurant group.

The 54-year-old’s total net worth increased by more than US$2 billion this year, reaching a total of US$6.6 billion—up from US$4.9 billion last year.

8. Gang Ye

The second person from Sea Limited to make the list is Gang Ye, the second co-founder of the Singaporean tech conglomerate and its Chief Operating Officer.

Gang earned the title of the eighth richest Singaporean on the list, ranking #717 globally and has a total net worth of US$5 billion this year.

9. Jason Jiang

Coming in at #902 is Jason Jiang, the founder, chairman and CEO of Alibaba-backed Chinese outdoor advertising firm Focus Media Information Technology.

While the 52-year-old’s total net worth increased to US$4 billion from US$3.7 billion in 2024, his ranking dropped drastically from #871 last year.

10. Kwek Leng Beng

The final inductee to the top 10 richest Singaporeans is Kwek Leng Beng, the Chairman and Executive Director of Hong Leong Group, which was founded by his father in 1941.

Ranking at #979 globally, Kwek’s total net worth is valued at US$3.7 billion, a slight increase from US$3.4 billion in 2024.

The hotel and property tycoon leads the group’s real estate company, City Developments Limited, and has made headlines recently due to an internal dispute.

Five Singaporeans made their debut on this year’s list. Who are they?

This year’s list also sees five new Singaporean entrants, each coming from multiple industries.

The first is Teo Swee Ann, the founder and CEO of Shanghai-listed semiconductor firm Espressif Systems. He’s ranked #2233 on the list, with his total net worth at US$1.5 billion.

Coming in at #2623 is Lim Kaling, an early investor and non-executive director of Singapore mainstay tech brand Razer. His total net worth is US$1.2 billion.

And tied at #2790 with net worths of US$1.1 billion each on the list are three Singaporeans making notable strides in their respective industries:

1. Expat turned citizen George Raymond Zage III, the founder and CEO of Singapore-based investment firm Tiga Investments,
2. Lim Chap Huat, the co-founder and Chairman of construction engineering firm Soilbuild Group Holdings, which is known for developing and building residential and industrial properties, and
3. Quek Leng Chye, who is the managing director of Hong Leong Holdings, the property development and investment arm of Hong Leong Group.

• Read more articles we’ve written on Singaporean businesses here.

Also Read: Forbes 2024 billionaire list: Who are the richest people in Singapore right now?

Featured Image Credit: Tatler Asia/ mindray/ Vulcan Post

M’sia’s 19 richest: Who’s new & who’s missing on Forbes’ 2025 World’s Billionaires List

Like clockwork, Forbes has dropped its annual World’s Billionaires List. This year, there are 19 Malaysians who made it onto the list. 

As usual, familiar faces dominate it, but there are some notable names who have appeared (or reappeared).

A new face 

The most prominent addition to the list is none other than 99 Speedmart’s Lee Thiam Wah. Impressively, the founder debuted as the fourth richest billionaire in Malaysia, after Robert Kuok, Quek Leng Chan, and Koon Poh Keong. 

This follows 99 Speedmart’s IPO last year, which had been the talk of the town and raised US$532 million. 

Born with poliomyelitis—a disease to his central nervous system— he was bound to a wheelchair since he was 8 months old. 

Despite health challenges, he became a visionary business man, having opened his first shop in 1987 in the port city of Klang, before selling it and establishing the Pasar Mini 99 chain in 1992.

The entrepreneur has a net worth of US$3.6 billion, making him the 979th billionaire in the world at the time of Forbes’ World’s Billionaires List.

Making a comeback?

Back on the list is Tan Yu Yeh, the founder of Mr. D.I.Y, our homegrown home improvement retail chain. He had debuted on the list in 2021, but had not made it onto the list last year. 

Weirdly enough, Forbes now reports that his 2023 wealth had been US$1.9 billion, which means he should’ve been on the list last year. Perhaps the publication had not been able to ascertain his net worth when putting out the list. 

Another returnee is Lim Wee Chai, who had been absent from the list after 2022. This is the man behind Top Glove, which saw soaring performance in 2021 thanks to the pandemic. With a net worth of US$1.1 billion, he’s the final billionaire from Malaysia on the list. 

Who’s missing 

The one name missing from the list this year is Ananda Krishnan, who passed away last November at the age of 86. 

A Harvard Business School grad and former oil trader, Ananda built a multi-billion dollar empire from scratch. His holdings included stakes in Maxis, Astro Malaysia Holdings, and an oilfield services-provider called Bumi Armada.

• Learn more about Forbes’ World’s Billionaires List here.
• Read other articles we’ve written about Forbes’ lists here.

Also Read: This HP smart printer proves that M’sian SMEs don’t have to break the bank for reliability

Featured Image Credit: Lim Wee Chai via Top Glove / Lee Thiam Wah via Forbes / Tan Yu Yeh via Mr. D.I.Y. Group

Trump’s tariffs shake up global trade—Singapore imposed with 10% baseline rate

As part of his vision to “make America wealthy again,” United States President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday (April 2) that he would impose a 10% baseline tariff on all goods coming into America from anywhere in the world, including Singapore.

Framing it as a declaration of economic independence, he also introduced hefty “reciprocal” tariffs on at least 60 trading partners, singling out what he called the “nations that treat [the US] badly” for levying “excessively high duties” on American products.

Asian economies bore the brunt of these measures. China now faces a new 34% tariff on its exports to the US, adding to the existing 20% that Trump had already imposed on the country for not doing enough to combat fentanyl trafficking.

In Southeast Asia, Cambodia was hit hardest with a 49% tariff, followed by Vietnam at 46%, Thailand at 36%, and Indonesia and Taiwan at 32% each. Malaysia faces a 24% tariff, while the Philippines is subject to a 17% duty.

The baseline tariffs are set to take effect at midnight on April 5 (12 p.m. on April 6, Singapore time), and the reciprocal tariffs will kick in at midnight on April 9.

Here’s an overview of the tariffs imposed on different countries:

What does this mean for Singapore and the rest of the world?

Trump’s policy represents the most significant shake-up of the global trade system since World War II, and it is only a matter of time before America’s trading partners respond with tariffs of their own.

With the U.S. accounting for about 15% of global trade, these tariffs are set to have significant consequences on the world economy. 

Analysts assessing the impact of these measures have drawn comparisons to the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930, which imposed 20% tariffs on most imports and played a role in deepening the Great Depression.

​In 2024, the United States was one of Singapore’s top trading partners, and a recent Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) survey showed financial institutions here were most concerned that intensifying trade tensions could impact the country’s growth and reignite inflation.

Another flash survey done by the American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore yesterday also found that nearly seven in 10 (69%) of companies in Singapore expect the new tariffs to have a significant or moderate negative impact on their operation.

45% of these firms plan to pass on the increased costs from the new US tariffs to their customers, while others intend to respond by diversifying their supply chains to reduce their reliance on high-tariff markets, or seizing opportunities to gain market share from competitors who are slower to adapt.

…but Singapore should be in a good spot

Singapore’s strong fiscal position—reflected in a fiscal surplus of S$6.4 billion in FY2024—gives the government flexibility to manage external economic challenges.

That said, with 2025 being an election year, there could be some political uncertainty, which may affect economic confidence. Regardless of which party leads the nation, it will have to navigate ongoing geopolitical tensions and navigate the new Trump’s era.

A stable government plays an important role in maintaining consistent policies to navigate global economic changes. Singapore has a well-established reputation for political stability, reinforcing its position as a secure and reliable economy.

• Read other articles we’ve written on Singapore’s current affairs here.

Also Read: Inflation in S’pore finally ends as retail prices drop, gas & electricity cheapest in 2 years

Featured Image Credit: The White House

Politicians want to be #relatable too, but are S’poreans here for their new campaign strat?

House visits, walkabouts, posters on lamposts and the roaring cheers at rallies—these were the sights and sounds that I heard as a child during the election season.

But times have since changed. With the advancement of technology and the unexpected timing of the COVID-19 pandemic, Singapore had its first digital election in GE2020.

Not only did we see the absence of physical rallies, but GE2020 has brought a lot of attention to the impact of new media sources, from social media to podcasts, and many political figures have since leveraged these sources to reach new voters.

Meet the “new” media players

1. Instagram and TikTok

When it comes to new media, we cannot leave Instagram and TikTok out of the conversation, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Whether they are in parliament or not, each political figure has their own “style” in interacting with their virtual audience while also educating them on public policies, including Singapore’s Minister of Health, Mr Ong Ye Kung.

Some political figures might be more active on Instagram, such as Associate Professor Jamus Lim of the Workers’ Party (WP), who is known for his carousel posts elaborating on his parliament speeches.

2. Podcasts

Many politicians have also made appearances on podcasts, with both the incumbent and opposition parties giving insights into their thoughts on the local political landscape.

Some notable podcasts known for their commentary on current affairs are The Daily Ketchup, Yah Lah BUT, and Teh Tarik With Walid.

Many use Instagram and TikTok to consume online content, but given that not everyone listens to podcasts, what draws politicians to them?

These videos often place politicians in an informal setting, where they engage in mostly casual banter with the hosts, while the audio format adds an “intimate layer” to the listeners’ experience—it’s like you are listening to a private chat that “fosters a sense of connection” that is challenging to replicate elsewhere.

Podcasts are more off-the-cuff, which allows the politicians’ personalities to really shine through and could make them seem more relatable if they know how to use the format well.

Dr Tracy Loh, senior lecturer of communications management at Singapore Management University responding to The Straits Times

One example could be seen with Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s interview with The Daily Ketchup, where the self-proclaimed introvert shared how his life has changed since taking over from Mr Lee Hsien Loong, who is now the senior minister.

A double-edged sword

Some parties have emerged victorious in the social media game, and WP’s trailer for GE2020 often came to mind. Although the six-minute video didn’t have any dialogue, it went viral, to the extent that someone gave a commentary on the success of the video from a PR perspective.

Another politician who became a “social media darling” was Dr Tan Cheng Bock of the Progress Singapore Party (PSP), who became an “Instagram sensation” with his “hypebeast ah gong” persona.

Dr. Tan also remained one of the most followed opposition leaders on Instagram, with approximately 55,900 followers at the time of writing. But we’d have to admit, the “hypebeast” gimmick became old after a while.

Political Scientist Walid Jumblatt Bin Abdullah, who hosts the podcast Teh Tarik With Walid, shared that while politicians cannot avoid social media, they need to keep a balance between being light-hearted yet informative with their reach.

“There’s a fine line between being informative and cringe, and you need to balance that,” added the Associate Professor. He also highlighted that there are some politicians who just hop onto every TikTok trend and do them without any substance to it, though he did not mention any names.

If you just do that, then you think “oh this is a way to reach young voters!” I hope they lose. Because it’s so patronising to young voters to think that “oh just because i do this, young people are going to like me,” that’s not how voting works.

Associate Professor Walid Jumblatt Bin Abdullah on The Daily Ketchup podcast

However, we also know that nothing could be truly deleted from the Internet, and some politicians were called out for their past behaviour.

Ivan Lim underwent a “trial by Internet,” after he was introduced as one of the new candidates to contest for the former Jurong GRC under the People’s Action Party (PAP), where netizens accused him of having “poor character,” and a petition on change.org was created to campaign for his removal.

Mr Lim eventually released a press statement denying all allegations against him, but bowed out of the race three days later due to the online backlash.

Not long after, former WP member Raessah Khan was also placed in hot water for her social media posts that discussed race and religion, where she was investigated by the police after two police reports were submitted by members of the public.

With party leaders and then-teammates by her side, Miss Khan subsequently gave a public apology to the press, explaining that it wasn’t her intention to “create social division but to raise awareness (about) minority concerns.”

Finding a balance between reel and real life

With more people seeking out election content through alternative forms of media, there is no denying that it has become a useful weapon for any party to connect with the Singaporean electorate.

That said, politicians should not neglect interacting with their residents in their constituencies on the ground. After all, some people prefer to see what’s happening in the flesh, and that might play a part in casting their vote.

Check out our GE2025 microsite for the latest election-related news, find out which constituency you belong to, and more here.

Also Read: GE2025: Physical rallies are back, but do they matter anymore for Singapore’s elections?

Featured Image Credit: The Daily Ketchup, designed by Vulcan Post

Why this barista founded a cafe in PJ that teaches others how to up their own coffee game

At 35 years old, Han has had a long winding career, going from tech startups in Singapore back to his home business here, until finally, reaching his dream of building a coffee business.

But more than that, empowering a community.

Bad Artist Coffee Co came about from a love for coffee, and the desire to educate and inspire others to pick up the art form, one cuppa at a time.

How bad could it be?

“The idea behind Bad Artist Coffee began when I started learning how to brew and roast coffee at home during the pandemic, and I became intrigued by the idea of starting my own coffee brand,” Han told Vulcan Post. 

“That was when I realised that coffee brewing can be a great hobby and that it has also become a way to connect with others.”

With the tagline, “How Bad Can it Be?” Bad Artist Coffee Co was born, a micro roastery selling roasted coffee beans sourced across Asia, Africa, and the Americas, and beginner-friendly coffee equipment.

More so, Bad Artist Coffee became a platform for Han to spread the “gospel” of home brewing, with one of Han’s earliest projects being a coffee cupping workshop.

“The intention behind Bad Artist Coffee is to encourage more people to brew at home because I believe everyone is an artist. And while we’re all bound to be bad at first, my goal is to help aspiring ‘bad artists’ get better.”

“Ever since I started Bad Artist Coffee, it has always been my intention to be educational instead of just selling roasted coffees,” said Han in an Instagram post.

Not long after, Han was taking over cafes and speaking at workshops, becoming a prominent figure in the coffee community

Soon enough, after two years of running the business out of his home, selling at pop-ups, and taking over coffee bars, Han found the opportunity to take his purpose further, and it came in the form of his dad’s old office space.

A new home with old roots

A humble space sitting atop auto parts shops and overlooking the quiet SS2 suburbs, this spot once served as an office space for Han’s dad, before being left vacant for years.

“It felt right for me to take it over and turn it into something more purposeful. In a way, starting something where my father once began was encouraging,” Han said.

Now featuring an open-concept layout with a minimalist aesthetic and furnishings, Bad Artist Coffee finally had a physical space of its own, from which operations were conducted and coffee lovers were united.

“One of my goals for Bad Artist Coffee has always been to create a third space where coffee lovers can connect, explore, and learn about coffee. I believe coffee is deeply personal, and the best way to introduce it to more people is by inviting them into your space.”

“This space is not designed to be a cafe, but rather a coffee collaborative space, a place for you and me to be ‘bad’. ‘Cause how bad can it be?”

Along with its simple menu of filter coffees and espressos, Bad Artist Coffee showcases light bites and non-coffee beverages from local vendors reminding visitors that, in the end, it’s all about the community.

For the hipsters, addicts, and enthusiasts alike

Since the early days, Han has relied on the support of the barista community, from taking over bars and participating in collaborative projects.

Now with a physical space of his own, he’s giving back to the community that raised Bad Artist Coffee to the brand it now is.

Indeed, the space also hosts workshops and other coffee-oriented events, including coffee-tasting and sharing sessions where they host baristas from the local community.

“Stepping outside my comfort zone has become a big part of my journey with Bad Artist Coffee and I’m incredibly grateful for the support of the local coffee community; even for a new brand like mine, starting from scratch with no prior knowledge of specialty coffee.”

Since the beginning, Han’s commitment to the coffee community has been apparent. Not just to the hipsters with their vac pots, or the upper echelon and their “premium” brews, but also to the everyday worker and early risers, showing them that there’s a way to get some good home brewed coffee into their routines.

• Learn more about Bad Artist Coffee Co here.
• Read our other F&B stories here.

Also Read: This Sabahan serial entrepreneur built 6 brands, here’s his business playbook

Featured Image Credit: Bad Artist Coffee Co

Is it defamation when you leave a bad review, and can M’sian businesses sue you for it?

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is not meant to be used or construed as legal advice in any manner whatsoever. All articles have been scrutinised by a practising lawyer from Tristan & Partners to ensure accuracy.

The “silent majority” is a concept in politics that refers to how the largest portion of a country’s population actually does not involve themselves in politics. 

More recently, however, the term has taken on a more general meaning, encompassing a broader spectrum. Now, it can also refer to the fact that the loudest people in the room expressing their opinions are usually in the minority.

Take social media, for example. A YouTube video may have a million views, but how many people go out of their way to actually like the video? 

For extra context, just a 3.75% to 4% view-to-like ratio is what’s considered ideal. Meaning that, if we’re being generous, one can expect about 40,000 likes in this scenario.

And as for comments? That coveted “golden ratio” drops to about 0.5%. Just 5,000 comments.

Reviews for businesses and products tend to follow a similar pattern. And that’s not exactly a good thing when reviews tend to be the first thing people turn to when they’re deciding what to spend their hard-earned money on.

I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that nobody wants to enter a restaurant with a gorgeous exterior but horrendous service, bland food, and extortionate prices. Or that what’s shown on the box ends up being different from the actual product.

But whereas social media accounts can be blocked and ignored with comments deleted, reviews have to contend with a certain “risk” when dealing with especially sensitive business owners.

And that’s a defamation lawsuit.

What does it mean?

In law, defamation refers to the act of making a false statement on any person, business, or organisation that ends up damaging their reputation.

Statements made in “permanent form,” such as texts, videos, and radio broadcasts, are referred to as “libel.”

“Transient” or “temporary” statements where there is no referable record, meanwhile, constitutes as slander. Take something said in the moment for example.

Here in Malaysia, laws pertaining to defamation fall under the aptly named Defamation Act 1957.

However, the act only provides, among others, situations where an action for slander can be pursued without the need to prove special damages, and the application of defences such as justification, fair comment, and qualified privilege.

It notably does not cover what amounts to defamatory statements.

So, then, can any criticism you make be leveraged against you as defamation?

Well, that’s up to the court to decide on a case-by-case basis.

Suing & defending

In order to establish a claim for defamation, it must first be proven that the statement made does in fact refer to the plaintiff, i.e. the one who initiated the lawsuit.

Secondly, it must also be shown that the statement made was defamatory in the first place. And the two ways this can be done are through interpretation via natural and ordinary meaning or by innuendo.

Statements that are direct and can be taken at face value would fall under interpretation by natural and ordinary meaning. 

To explain innuendo, here is an example:

Person A makes a statement on social media saying, “The items at my office desk have been going missing. It must be the person that sits next to me who has been taking them. Don’t tell me such a person can’t even afford to buy staples?”

The words used by Person A can be implied to mean that the person who sits next to A is a poor person, is not financially capable, or is a thief. 

Though not direct, this can be taken as defamatory, thus giving the person sitting next to Person A grounds for a lawsuit.

The last criteria is to prove that the defamatory statement was published.

But whether or not the lawsuit will be won, will depend on the defendant’s defence.

When you’re being sued for defamation, the most common defences that you can take up include the following:

Fair comment and qualified privilege, however, will fail if it can be proven that the statement made was done so in malice.

As far as the legal world is concerned, malice can be defined as the intention to cause harm without justification or excuse.

“So long as a person believes in the truth of what he says and is not reckless, ‘malice’ cannot be inferred from the fact that his belief is unreasonable, prejudiced or unfair,” explained law firm Carter-Ruck.

As the saying goes…

Damages can only be claimed by the plaintiff should they be proven innocent with concrete evidence that they have incurred some sort of loss from the whole ordeal.

Carter-Ruck states that the amount will be determined by the court based on factors including but not limited to:

• the gravity of the allegation
• the size and influence of the circulation
• the extent and nature of the claimant’s reputation
• the behaviour of the defendant
• the behaviour of the plaintiff

This can be as high as over RM700,000, making it evermore crucial to not let it slip in our heads that actions have their consequences.

The anonymity afforded to us by the internet tends to have that effect on people.

Vent your frustrations in a note, give it a day, and take it easy on the insults when writing your review. If it helps, bring in a friend to give it a read before you hit “send.”

Prevention, as they say, is better than cure.

• Read other articles we’ve written about Malaysian startups here.

Also Read: This global real estate firm is expanding to KL to help local agents achieve their ambitions

Featured Image Credit: Vulcan Post

Wise was named one of the best APAC employers for 2025—their new S’pore office showed us why

Fintech firm Wise has expanded its Asia Pacific hub in Singapore with the opening of a new office at Paya Lebar Quarter.

The newly unveiled 31,800 sqft office is 25% larger than its previous location, making it Wise’s largest office in Singapore to date.

Yesterday, the Vulcan Post team had the opportunity to tour their new headquarters, and needless to say, we were thoroughly impressed. Here’s a look at the space:

Where the hustle happens

Located on the seventh floor of PLQ 3, Wise houses almost 600 staff at its Singapore office.

The fintech firm’s office design draws inspiration from Asia Pacific’s cultural heritage and is divided into five distinct zones—each representing one of the five feng shui elements: metal, earth, water, fire and wood. 

Adding to its functionality, the new space boasts 40% more meeting rooms than Wise’s previous workspace, and each is uniquely inspired by Asian folklore.

During our visit, we spotted several creatively named rooms—some were clever, while others were downright punny. Here are a few highlights:

Throughout the office, local artistry is also on display—pieces by Samuel Xun, Andy Yang, Ezzam Rahman, and Bridget Tay, among other artists, add character to the space.

And now comes the best part.

To support employee well-being and productivity, Wise has thoughtfully incorporated a dedicated wellness space into their new office, ensuring that rest and relaxation are just a few steps away.

In addition to the massage pods and nap rooms, Wise also offers parent rooms and multi-faith rooms, ensuring the office can accommodate all employees’ needs.

-//-

This year, Wise was named as one of the best employers in the Asia Pacific region by the Financial Times for fostering an “inclusive and positive work environment.”

And after touring their office, it’s easy to see why they earned that recognition.

After all, having a workspace designed for both productivity and well-being makes a world of difference for employees.

• If you’re looking to join Wise, they’re now hiring for 16 roles in Singapore. You can check them out here.
• Read other articles we’ve written on tech giants here.

Also Read: “This space marks a coming-of-age”: Carousell unveils new regional HQ at one-north in S’pore

Featured Image Credit: Wise

Grab receives street-hail service license, to become Singapore’s 6th taxi operator

Singapore will have a total of six taxi operators now, as GrabCab, a subsidiary of Grab Rentals and the sister company of GrabCar, has just received a licence to run street-hail services in Singapore today (April 2, 2025). 

According to a press release by the Land Transport Authority (LTA), GrabCab’s entry will provide drivers and commuters with more choices and is expected to boost taxi supply. The other current taxi operators are CityCab, CDG, Prime, Strides and Trans-cab.

The company will be given a three-year grace period to progressively expand its fleet to meet the minimum requirement of 800 taxis.

The new license will commence on April 9, 2025 and is valid for 10 years.

As part of the licensing conditions, LTA stated that GrabCar’s street-hail services must follow the same taxi fare structure components as other street-hail operators, and its fare must be prominently displayed so that passengers are informed of the applicable fare rates.

In a media statement, Grab said that it will launch a green fleet in the coming months, featuring low- and zero-emission hybrid and electric vehicles.

The company will also sponsor the course fees for a Taxi Driver’s Vocational Licence, as well as six-month National Taxi Association membership fees for new members planning to join GrabCab. Drivers can register their interest from today.

Grab is grateful to the Land Transport Authority for granting us a taxi licence, which provides us the opportunity to introduce GrabCab, a taxi fleet to complement private hire cars on our platform.

This enables us to address unmet consumer demand and improve ride availability, particularly during peak hours, late nights and in areas only accessible by taxis. It also positions us to better serve the anticipated growth in point-to-point rides in the coming years, while catering to consumers who prefer street-hailing.

A Grab spokesperson in a media statement to Vulcan Post

Grab has yet to disclose when GrabCab will be launched and how many vehicles it will initially operate.

• Read more articles we’ve written on Singaporean businesses here.

Also Read: Grab & GoTo are allegedly eyeing a 2025 merger, but GoTo denies reports

Featured Image Credit: GrabRental

A beginner-friendly guide to investing: How to start growing your wealth in M’sia

Disclaimer: This article is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for financial advice. Readers are encouraged to do their own research before arriving at any conclusions based solely on this content. Vulcan Post disclaims any reward or responsibility for any gains or losses arising from the direct and indirect use and application of any contents of the written material.

Ah, investing. Personally, when the topic comes up I tend to leave the conversation to just talk to the girlies about the latest Lana Del Rey album, or the next Severance episode.

But since I’ve started my days of spending my own money on, well, everything, the idea of “free” money seems more and more appealing. But with all the confusing technical jargon and financial terms on even introductory articles, I keep getting scared back to just doomscrolling on Twitter.

Well, if this sounds like your case too, fret not, for I have scoured the interwebs, watched podcasts by crypto bros, and talked to finance bros to put together an actually beginner-friendly guide to investing so that someday, you could dip your toes into these waters.

In·vest

/ɪnˈvɛst/ verb
Put (money) into financial schemes, shares, property, or a commercial venture with the expectation of achieving a profit.

In simpler terms, investing is the act of using your money for the purpose of getting more money in the future, instead of just letting it sit around in your bank account or as cash.

It’s important to note that investing is highly personal, heavily depending on various variables in one’s life, such as financial position, earning power, life circumstances like commitments and dependants, personal goals and even emotional readiness.

All of this forms the foundation of your investment strategy. As such, it’s highly recommended to perform your own research or consulting, whether with experienced friends or even experts, to gauge which execution works best for you.

But why?

“Is investing really worth all this though? What if I already have a stable career?” you might be asking.

The fact of the matter is, investing isn’t just something bored finance bros do so they can spend more time being bored; rather, it’s a necessary practice to maintain the value of your savings so you can secure a stable future.

This is due to the concept of time value of money (TVM). It surmises that money is worth more now than at a future date based on its earning potential. Because money can grow when invested, any delay is a lost opportunity for growth.

As such, money that is not invested or earning interest not only loses its potential of gaining value, but would also depreciate due to inflation.

Essentially, investment is a necessary step of ensuring that your savings don’t turn into peanuts over the years.

A look in the mirror

Firstly, it’s important to evaluate yourself and your risk tolerance.

That means establishing your capacity of dealing with an unfavourable outcome or return from an investment.

Most investments with a higher risk come with a higher chance of rewards. From this, you should keep in mind the amount of money you can afford to lose before going forward with a risky investment.

That said, there are several low-risk investments you can still go through with. From fixed interest rates in savings accounts to the Employee’s Provident Fund (EPF), there exist several ways to keep your money’s value from naturally depreciating without risking losing it all.

For those with a little more tolerance to risk, however, high-risk investments into assets like cryptocurrency, startup stocks, and commodities are available, giving the chance for adventurous investors to earn higher returns.

Once you’ve established your risk tolerance, let’s set some goals and expectations. How much are you hoping to earn? What is your timescale? How much time and effort can you regularly put into managing your investments?

All these need to be considered when building your investment portfolio, a collection of financial investments like stocks, bonds, commodities, cash, and cash equivalents, including closed-end funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

“So, I have to make multiple investments now?”

Well, the key to having a successful investment plan is diversification. It involves investing capital into various financial instruments, industries, and other categories to reduce risk and maximise returns. In other words, it’s a way of keeping your eggs in multiple baskets.

The sample portfolio allocation pictured above is for an investor with a low tolerance for risk. In general, a conservative strategy tries to protect a portfolio’s value by investing in lower-risk securities.

We cover what these investment types mean and how they work below, but in a nutshell, this portfolio gives investors near-guaranteed returns, and lower risks, while addressing the average person’s liquidity needs.

That said, there might be variances to your needs, so it’s recommended that you fully understand your needs, goals, and capabilities before deciding on a portfolio.

So we begin

Now that you’ve decided on your goals and risk tolerance, let’s look at some beginner-friendly investment vehicles.

1. Employees Provident Fund (EPF)

If you’ve held a full-time position before, you’re probably already familiar with EPF. In short, EPF is a savings and retirement plan for private sector workers in Malaysia. It is a statutory contribution here, meaning employers are required to match their employees’ regular contributions.

Like most retirement schemes, however, a total withdrawal can only be made at ages 50, 55, and 60. Partial withdrawals can be made before that, but only from your Akaun Fleksibel.

Returns: 6.30% dividend rate (2024)

Who’s it for: Everyone! Voluntary contributions can also be made for those self-employed.

2. Fixed Deposit Savings Account

Again, another form of investment most are familiar with. Savings accounts that offer a Fixed Deposit (FD) guarantee a high return over the long term. 

Unlike a conventional savings account that earns daily interest and allows for withdrawals at any time, an FD restricts access to money you have invested.

Below are some comparisons between major banks and their primary FD rates. Note that these rates are subject to change and most banks also offer different rates if you fit a certain criteria.

Returns: 2-3% per annum

Who’s it for: Long-term investors and those with minimal risk tolerance.

3. Unit Trust Funds (ASB/ASM)

Unit trusts are defined as a collective investment instrument, in which investors’ capitals are pooled together into a single fund to be managed by a professional fund manager. The accumulated fund is then invested into various equity portfolios, fixed-income securities, and other assets. The funds may be invested in various types of businesses and companies based locally and abroad.

One of the most accessible unit trusts is Amanah Saham Nasional Berhad (ASNB), which offers Amanah Saham Bumiputera (ASB) and Amanah Saham Malaysia (ASM) to bumiputera and all Malaysians respectively.

The unit price of the ASB fund is RM1, with any cost or redemption fee of these units being covered by ASNB. Capital investment into either of these funds is guaranteed by the Malaysian government, making it a low-risk investment.

Returns: 5.75 cents per unit for ASB; 2.16 cents per unit for ASM with a 2.92% income yield

Who’s it for: Long-term investors with minimal risk tolerance and low capital. Also great for those with less time to manage their investments.

4. Bonds

When a large company or government requires a large sum of money, one of the easiest ways to fulfill this fund is by taking up a loan. Often, however, the funds they need usually outscale the amount that banks can offer. So the best way for them to gather their funds is by issuing bonds to the public.

Investors will then lend these companies money by purchasing the issued bonds, and after a certain period, the company will pay back the amount borrowed. While waiting for the end of that period, the company will regularly pay you interest at a predetermined interest rate also referred to as a coupon.

Some of the corporate bonds (in the form of loan stocks) in Malaysia are listed on Bursa Malaysia. 

However, most of these instruments are issued on a private placement basis and are traded over the counter. As these bonds are issued without a prospectus, the instruments could only be issued or offered to a restricted list of investors as specified under the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007 (CMSA).

Take note that when an investor buys a bond, they become a creditor of the issuer. However, the buyer does not gain any kind of ownership rights to the issuer, unlike equity investments.

Returns: 3.80% for Malaysian government bonds; 4-5% for corporate bonds

Who’s it for: Short-mid-term investors able to afford a higher capital and with a low to moderate risk tolerance.

5. Money Market Funds

A money market fund is a kind of mutual fund that invests in highly liquid, short-term instruments including cash, cash equivalent securities, and high-credit-rating, debt-based securities with a short-term maturity.

Money market funds are intended to offer investors high liquidity with a very low level of risk. Returns are dependent on the applicable market interest rates, and therefore, the overall returns from the money market funds are also dependent on interest rates.

Returns: Variable

Who’s it for: Short-term investors with a low-risk tolerance and higher capital.

6. Stocks

Now, let’s talk stocks. Also known as equity, stocks are a security that represents the ownership of a fraction of the issuing corporation. Units of stock are called shares, which entitle the owner to a proportion of the corporation’s assets and profits equal to how much stock they own.

Stocks are bought and sold predominantly on stock exchanges and are the foundation of many individual investors’ portfolios. Stock trades have to conform to government regulations meant to protect investors from fraudulent practices.

There are various types of stocks, but the two that beginners might want to focus on are blue-chip stocks and Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs).

Blue-chip stocks are shares of large, well-established, and financially sound companies with a history of reliable performance. ETFs, on the other hand, are traded like stocks. They track market indexes like the S&P 500, and offer instant diversification, reducing the risk associated with individual stocks.

Returns: Highly variable, with limitless highs and lows

Who’s it for: Anyone (with time)! Blue-chip stocks offer lower risks while ETFs offer easy diversification. That said, there is a steep learning curve when it comes to picking the right stock to purchase.

A step further

Now that you know more about the opportunities available to you, there are several other investment vehicles that you could look into if you plan on further diversifying your investment portfolio. These include:

• Commodities, such as gold and silver;
• Property, be it via Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) or residential investments;
• Cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum;
• FOREX, or the trading of fluctuating currencies; and
• Venture capital, a highly risky form of buying stocks from startups and small businesses.

But how?

Once you’re familiar with the various investment vehicles, you might be asking, “How do I get started?”

Again, this comes down to personal preference and the time and energy you’re willing to spend on getting this “art” right.

If you’re particular about where your money goes and are keen on actively learning through practice, self-directed investing could be the way to go.

This involves conducting your own research on current return rates, liaising directly with banks or companies, and evaluating the risks and potentials of various investments.

If you’re interested in going down this route, I would recommend browsing through educational websites like Investopedia and RinggitPlus; looking through introductory videos by YouTubers like Ziet Invests; and even taking some courses on investing through sites like LinkedIn and Coursera.

But, if you’re looking to take the easier route, seeking out professional wealth managers could ease the process greatly, and like investments, picking the right manager with the appropriate expertise could lead to higher and faster profits.

A new option that might be more feasible for millennials and Gen Zs, however, is robo-advisors. Powered by AI and algorithms, robo-advisors gather critical information about the investor and their risk profile to make suitable recommendations.

With little to no human interference, robo-advisors offer a cost-effective way of investing with services similar to what a human investment advisor provides.

Popular Malaysian robo-advisors include AkruNow, StashAway, and Kenanga Digital Investing (KDI).

The bottom line

If you’ve successfully made it to the end, congratulations! You probably have more questions now, but at least you know that you have the interest and drive to learn more about the complex, ever-evolving, and tumultuous world of investing.

Investing is a process that provides continuous learning, and although it may be demotivating to constantly have to learn and unlearn various aspects of this sphere, know that it is definitely a worthwhile effort in keeping your finances in check and ready for whatever comes.

• Learn more about investing in Malaysia here.
• Read our digital banking pieces here.

Also Read: This HP smart printer proves that M’sian SMEs don’t have to break the bank for reliability

This M’sian chef went from running a tong sui stall to owning a dessert chain with 4 outlets

There’s a bunch of modern desserts available nowadays, from icy bingsu to creamy gelato. 

But to me, nothing hits the same as good old tong sui. Perfectly light and refreshing, it makes for a delectable treat after a heavy meal. 

Of course, I’m not the only one who enjoys a good bowl of tong sui. That’s why there are so many brands on the market offering them now. 

One such brand that I’ve personally frequented is Sik Thong Ba. With four outlets across the Klang Valley, Sik Thong Ba has become a neighbourhood favourite wherever it ends up, with thousands of fond Google reviews for every single outlet. 

Using Chinese desserts as a medium 

Like many, the founder Karen’s first business was in a coffee shop. But she wasn’t selling coffee. 

Having always been interested in baking and desserts, she decided to study culinary arts in college. Upon graduation, she honed in on her love for Chinese desserts and opened a small stall for her desserts in a coffee shop. 

Karen worked on this stall for a year, and found that she really enjoyed doing it. With the dream of improving her business, she launched her own brick-and-mortar store specialising in tong sui. 

This concept might not sound novel now, but at that point in 2019, Karen felt like there weren’t many modern Chinese dessert offerings on the market. 

From my own memory, it’s true that many tong sui offerings back then were old-school stalls or more traditional shops. Modern cafe-style tong sui spots were quite the rarity still. 

“I remember that I really used up all my savings when I opened the first store in Cheras Traders Square,” Karen reminisced about her first shop. 

Today, that first outlet is still standing strong, with a whopping 4.8 stars on Google, amassed from 3.9K reviews. In fact, all outlets have 4.8 to 5 stars on Google. 

However, that doesn’t mean things came easily for Karen and Sik Thong Ba. 

“Looking back on 2019, Sik Thong Ba had only been in operation for six months before the MCO came into effect,” the founder recalled. 

Thankfully, the business was still able to operate, albeit only through delivery orders. To stay afloat, the team created tong sui party packages for customers to enjoy at home.

“Since then, STB has grown bigger to a few more outlets and we try to bring customers different and more innovative traditional desserts,” Karen proudly shared. 

Championing quality

After Sik Thong Ba got its start, though, many more tong sui businesses have been popping up. 

“Yes, there are many more dessert shops in the market this year,” Karen agreed. “To be honest, it is very competitive.” 

But Sik Thong Ba has been able to grow a following of regulars, thanks to its consistent product quality, achieved through the help of a central kitchen. 

She pointed out, “For me, training 10 people from the central kitchen is easier than training 70 people from the outlets.”

On top of that, the Sik Thong Ba founder will go to the store regularly to check the quality of the products. 

“I’ve been the R&D chef from the start and continue to hold that role,” Karen added. “Although I’ve tried to find a suitable pastry chef, it’s been quite challenging. Maybe I’m being too picky? Just kidding!”

But it’s true that finding the right talent is integral, and would allow Karen to step back and look at the business’ bigger picture. 

With that in mind, she shared that she really hopes to get a pastry chef who’s passionate in both eating and cooking to join her R&D team. This will help grow the brand’s product range, as they typically develop two to three new menu items per season. 

Rising again 

While researching the business, I learnt that Karen actually had a venture in the past called Happyxixi, a place that served hot food and desserts. 

“The idea behind starting the business came from frequent requests from customers at Sik Thong Ba who wanted hot food,” she explained. 

Since the team at Sik Thong Ba was very stable at the time, Karen decided to give it a go. 

However, moving too quickly isn’t always good. They hadn’t anticipated the lasting impact of COVID at the time, and when they were about to launch, the second MCO hit. 

On top of that, the location had limited crowd capacity and parking, which contributed to the lack of profitability. This ultimately led to the closure of the sister brand. 

“I feel sorry for the amazing team at Happyxixi,” Karen admitted. “Despite everything, I’m happy that after two years, there are still customers who remember us and reach out via WhatsApp. I always recommend they visit Sik Thong Ba, as they miss it and enjoy it so much.”

After Happyxixi closed in 2023, she returned her focus to Sik Thong Ba. It turned out to be a good decision as business boomed in 2023, allowing them to open a third outlet before the end of the year. 

Knowing your audience

With four popular outlets, Sik Thong Ba seems to have grasped the winning recipe for finding the right locations. 

This can be credited to the fact that Karen knows its customer base well, and caters to them. Sik Thong Ba is all about serving families, as people of all ages can enjoy their dishes. So, they always open near crowded residential areas.  

Having learnt their lesson with Happyxixi, they also prioritise spaces with ample parking spaces. 

Looking ahead, Karen plans to keep using their strategies to expand into other places. 

“There’s a project where we’re rebranding Sik Thong Ba, which will be opening soon in Puchong in May,” she revealed. 

Sik Thong Ba is no flashy business with avant-garde dishes. But by executing simplicity well, Karen has been able to grow the business into four well-performing outlets, serving up familiar flavours in a comfortable space. 

• Learn more about Sik Thong Ba here.
• Read other articles we’ve written about F&B businesses here.

Also Read: At 23, he coded a startup in his bedroom. Now, his M’sian HR firm serves 450+ global clients.

Featured Image Credit: Sik Thong Ba

“Every election is the PAP’s to lose”: Ex-NMP Calvin Cheng on Singapore’s political scene

As GE2025 draws near, an increasing number of politicians and thought leaders have begun voicing their perspectives on Singapore’s political landscape.

In a recent episode of The Daily Ketchup, former Nominated Member of Parliament Calvin Cheng shared his insights on crucial factors shaping voter decisions and his predictions for the upcoming elections.

Here are some key takeaways from the podcast:

1) PAP’s dominance is an “anomaly” in a FPTP Westminster system

Calvin started off strong, asserting that “every election is the PAP’s to lose” from now on.

He explained that the People’s Action Party’s (PAP) current dominance—holding over 90% of the seats in Parliament—is an “anomaly” in a First Past The Post (FPTP) Westminster system, primarily due to the legacy of Lee Kuan Yew and the pioneering leaders, who transformed the nation from the third world to the first.

They brought Singapore from the third world to first, and there was still a certain cachet to that generation. But it’s an anomaly, so it’s not going to hold.

Calvin Cheng

Given how Singapore’s political landscape has evolved over the years, the city-state is now in the “early days” of the rise of a second dominant party—and right now, it seems “very likely” that the Workers’ Party (WP) will fill that role.

Calvin also pointed out that once a second party becomes established, a third party would struggle to gain traction.

“If any party wants to challenge them, they need to [do it] right now, because once the second party gets into that dominant position, in the First Past The Post system, there cannot be a third—it’s almost unlikely for there to be a third party.”

He argued that it’s naive to assume opposition unity, as each party has its own “brand, manifesto, and principles.”

However, Calvin believes that the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) could stand a chance against WP, but remains skeptical about the party’s ability to “sustain” itself, as it seems “very reliant on the persona of its founder,” Dr. Tan Cheng Bock.

[PSP] is very similar to the old Singapore Democratic Party (SDP). They were so reliant on [founder] Chiam See Tong’s personality that once he left, the party fell apart, whereas [former WP chief] Low Thia Kiang has very successfully handed over the baton to a new generation.

Calvin Cheng

2) What matters most to Singaporean voters

That aside, the decisive factor in elections—whether in Singapore or globally—ultimately comes down to bread and butter issues.

Bread and butter issues are always top concerns for voters, and the PAP could face challenges in future elections due to cost of living concerns, especially because voters are more likely to “remember the impact of past inflation and GST hikes, even if inflation has decreased.”

However, timing also plays a crucial role.

If you look at the American election when the Democrats were running, Biden kept saying, ‘hey, you know, inflation has come down,’ which was true—by the time they were running, inflation had come down. But that’s not what people feel, they remember what happened two or three years before that.

Calvin Cheng

For instance, core inflation in Singapore dropped to 0.8% in January and further dipped to 0.6% in February, but Calvin noted that “people are not going to feel that at the moment. They’re going to remember that prices were going up, they suffered from inflation, they remember the GST increases.”

“So, in my opinion, if PAP waits longer, they’ll have better chances as Singaporeans feel the effects of lower inflation,” he shared.

Compared to economic concerns, cultural issues, such as the impact of the 377A repeal, on the other hand, play a less decisive role in Singapore’s elections.

“I don’t think we have reached a stage where these cultural issues are make or break yet. People are not going to vote on single issues,” he added.

3) Does gerrymandering work in Singapore?

On March 11, the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (ERBC) announced major changes to Singapore’s electoral divisions ahead of GE2025, leaving only five Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) and four Single Member Constituencies (SMCs) unchanged from the previous election.

This has sparked criticism from the opposition, with some accusing the government of gerrymandering.

However, Calvin argued that gerrymandering is unlikely to be effective in Singapore due to the country’s lack of demographic clusters—it only works when certain groups are concentrated in specific areas, like in the US or UK, where race or class divides are prominent.

For example, in America there are black neighborhoods, there are white neighborhoods. In the UK, there are working-class neighborhoods, there are middle class neighborhoods, but in Singapore because of our very intentional policy of mixing, we do not have these demographic clusters.

[Hence], it’s almost impossible to gerrymander because you cannot draw the constituencies in a certain way where you know for sure that they are more likely to vote in a certain way because of the demographics.

Calvin Cheng

Rather than gerrymandering, the key issue, in Calvin’s opinion, is the late announcement of the electoral boundaries, which hampers smaller opposition parties.

He explained that the PAP has the resources to cover the entire island, but smaller opposition parties struggle because they don’t know the boundaries in advance, making it harder for them to effectively campaign.

-//-

In the podcast with The Daily Ketchup, Calvin has also shared his insights on the strengths of the opposition, the role of the media in politics and the reintroduction of physical rallies.

You can watch the full episode here:

Check out our GE2025 microsite for the latest election-related news, find out which constituency you belong to, and more here.

Also Read: Here’s a list of S’porean civil servants that could make their political debut in GE2025

Featured Image Credit: Screengrab from The Daily Ketchup, designed by Vulcan Post

Here’s a list of S’porean civil servants that could make their political debut in GE2025

In the lead-up to Singapore’s 2025 General Election, several senior civil servants have resigned from their positions in recent weeks, sparking speculation about their potential candidacy.

It’s no secret that political parties often tap into the public service for new candidates—but who has resigned so far and what are their backgrounds?

Here’s a breakdown:

According to media reports, these civil servants are all slated to leave their jobs in the first few days of April.

In addition to the resignations, two permanent secretaries are also preparing to retire after decades of service and might make their way into politics.

These individuals are:

1. Jeffrey Siow, from the Ministries of Manpower and Trade and Industry, and
2. Tan Ching Yee, from the Ministry of Finance.

It’s still uncertain whether all of these civil servants will stand in GE2025, but if they do, their representation is more or less in line with past elections.

According to CNA, five of the 27 new faces (or roughly 19%) fielded by the PAP in GE2020 were from the public service, excluding those from the Singapore Armed Forces.

In GE2015, four out of 24 candidates (17%) came from public service, while in GE2011, the proportion was slightly higher, with seven out of 24 (29%) coming from the public sector.

Historically, public servants have predominantly joined the PAP, although the opposition has also fielded candidates from the public service, albeit in smaller numbers.

This includes former Workers’ Party MP Leon Perera, who started out as an NCMP after the 2015 General Election—he was an assistant head at EDB’s enterprise development division.

But what’s next for these public servants if they are not elected?

Transitioning into politics—whether coming from the public sector or not—is not an easy feat.

Check out our GE2025 microsite for the latest election-related news, find out which constituency you belong to, and more here.

Also Read: The road to GE2025: Will PAP continue to be the “sure win” option?

Featured Image Credit: Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth/ Foo Cexiang via LinkedIn/ Goh Hanyan via LinkedIn/ Public Service Division

Why Singaporean Muslim fashion brand Naezily has shut down its business for good after 5 yrs

After five years in business, Muslim fashion brand Naezily will close its business and shutter its retail outlet at Nordcom II, 2 Gambas Crescent.

The founder of the business, Miza Nazili Ghazali, announced the closure through a video on the brand’s official Instagram and her personal account on March 4.

“It’s with a heavy heart that I announce the end of a journey I never imagined would come to an end this early,” she said.

In the video, Miza shared that the closure was a result of her decision to prioritise her mental health and devote more time to her other ventures—apart from Naezily, the 31-year-old also runs four other businesses, including multi-million-dollar health supplement company, Shortcutx.

Managing multiple businesses has been incredibly rewarding, but the reality is, there’s only so much one person can do in a single day… after much weighing of options, I’ve decided to fully focus on what matters most.

Founder of Naezily, Miza Nazili Ghazali

Naezily was founded in 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic—Miza started the brand with just S$600 in hand.

Since then, it has launched over 12 collections and collaborated with notable celebrities, including Malaysian actress Nora Danish and Taufik Batisah, Singapore’s first Idol winner.

In 2021, the brand expanded to Malaysia, setting up an outlet in Selangor, Malaysia; however, the store was closed three years later, in 2024.

• Read other articles we’ve written on Singaporean startups here.

Also Read: F&B to fashion: This 29-year-old has helmed 5 businesses, and one is a multi-million venture

Featured Image Credit: Miza Nazili Ghazali via Instagram

Why Brisbane & Gold Coast should be M’sian travellers’ top Aussie destinations in 2025

[This is a sponsored article with Singapore Airlines.]

Just last year, The New York Times featured Brisbane in their list of 52 places to visit in 2024.

And about a month later, the Washington Post likewise also featured Brisbane in their own list, titled “Where to go in 2025, without crowds.”

For two big names in the media industry to simultaneously look at Queensland’s capital city and recommend it, surely, there must be something to it.

Here are some of the highlights of what Brisbane has to offer.

Favouring the bold

Brisbane is commonly overlooked as just a gateway city to the popular Gold Coast. 

But you’d be missing out if you disregard it as a tourist destination, especially since there have been quite a few recent developments in the area.

Launched in late August last year, one such example is the Queen’s Wharf, a residential and entertainment precinct that was eight years in the making.

It’s located in the Brisbane central business district (CBD), the birthplace of the city’s European settlement nearly 200 years ago and home to indigenous Australians for even longer.

In line with such a history, the Queen’s Wharf houses 12 state-owned heritage sites. This includes the Commissariat Store, a history museum built in 1828, which makes it the oldest occupied building in Queensland.

The plan for some of these once neglected locations is to restore and repurpose them to suit modern needs, combining culture with dining and retail.

Four luxury hotels additionally line the area, and it is also adorned with various parks and greenspaces, a welcome respite from the glare of an LED screen.

The newly opened Star Brisbane in particular is also home to the Sky Deck, a rooftop runway seemingly suspended 250 metres high. 

It features a glass walkway overlooking the city as well as Southbank Parklands, providing guests with quite the vantage point for an aerial view.

It goes without saying, of course, that food is also a major highlight. The Queen’s Wharf features a plethora of Asian and European eateries, of which the lineup can be viewed here. 

But outside of the Queen’s Wharf, there’s also Howard Smith Wharves, where visitors can dine under the city’s iconic Story Bridge.

Regarded as one of the hottest dining spots for locals and visitors alike, it features restaurants, bars, and breweries, all of which can be booked online.

There’s also Eat Street Northshore, a street food hub decorated with fairy lights and features over 70 stalls alongside five themed bars. Local talents can serenade you here as well while you feast.

If animals are more your thing, then 75 minutes by ferry from Brisbane is Tangalooma Island Resort.

There, visitors have the opportunity to handfeed wild bottlenose dolphins. There’s one particular family of dolphins that visits the area regularly, so much so that the resort has even crafted a family tree of them.

Not something that you’d find yourself experiencing everyday, let alone with the backdrop of a sunset.

Another highlight is their Desert Safari experience, where visitors will have the opportunity to toboggan down Moreton Island’s dunes at a claimed top speed of 40km per hour.

For something more relaxed, there’s the whale watching cruises. It’s a staple offering of the resort’s since 1987, where lunch is also included as part of the package.

From capital to coast

If the coast is more your style or you’d like to escape the city for a bit, then an hour south of Brisbane lies the popular Gold Coast.

Whale watching is available here too, on a seasonal basis between June to early November when humpbacks are known to migrate.

Other nature experiences include the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary’s Astra Lumina night walk, a new permanent attraction for the company.

But if walking something rather than walking yourself is more your speed, then the Mountainview Alpaca Farm will suit your needs just nicely. 

Their packages offer visitors the chance to feed, pat, and stroll around with the fluffy creatures for up to an hour. 

The Alpaca Experience package has a minimum requirement of two people per purchase where one alpaca will be shared, whereas the Alpaca VIP Package has no such restrictions, being one alpaca per person.

Gold Coast’s theme parks have also seen new upgrades recently. Warner Bros. Movie World and Dreamworld in particular have invested over A$50 million each into making new rides and attractions.

Dreamworld’s new Rivertown land features a ride with an inclined triple switch coaster turntable, allowing for operation both forwards and backwards. This is a world first, according to the company.

Warner Bros. Movie World’s latest on the other hand is a Wizard of Oz-themed attraction. It features two new roller coasters, of which the Wicked Witch has a top speed of 67 km/h, reaching 19 metres high along its 454-metre track.

Just the bump of adrenaline thrill-seekers will no doubt be looking for.

But there is no beating Sea World’s helicopter tours when it comes to height. The ride offers an unrestricted view of the city’s skyline.

If you’d much rather feel the breeze against your skin, however, then SkyPoint Climb has a pathway taking you 270 metres above sea level on foot, be it day or night.

Flying high

If what both Brisbane and the Gold Coast has to offer interests you, then it would be best to book your flights with Singapore Airlines. 

A flight to Brisbane specifically, as there is no direct flight to the Gold Coast, will involve a transition from any one of Singapore Airlines or Scoot’s 11 departure points across Malaysia to Singapore Changi Airport.

The hope is that the airport’s amenities, including shopping and relaxation areas, will provide customers with a layover that feels both shorter and more enjoyable.

Singapore Airlines itself promises a seamless and comfortable travel experience, with even its economy class seats possessing “ample personal space.”

The Premium Economy Class comes with an additional two USB ports, a wider selection of in-flight meals, and even extra amenities such as eyeshades and lip balm.

June 16, 2025, onwards will additionally see the Singapore–Brisbane route increase to four daily flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. All four services, the company noted, will become daily from that date onwards.

Earlier this year, we at Vulcan Post previously reported on how Singapore Airlines was recognised by Fortune as the 28th most admired company globally. That, as well as how the company hit a record quarterly revenue just recently.

With its emphasis on convenience for this Queensland trip, it is quite easy to see why.

• Learn more about Singapore Airlines here.
• Read other articles we’ve written about travel here.

Also Read: This Sabahan serial entrepreneur built 6 brands, here’s his business playbook

Featured Image Credit: Felons Barrel Hall / Tourism and Events Queensland / SkyPoint Climb

Hands on with the Lenovo ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition, the RM7,300+ AI-powered business laptop

[Written in partnership with Lenovo, but the editorial team had full control over the content.]

Think commercial business laptops and you might just think ThinkPad, and for good reason. 

A line of business-oriented laptops, Lenovo’s ThinkPad has been around since 1992, with its earliest models designed, created, and manufactured by International Business Machines (IBM). 

Its latest iteration, the Lenovo ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition, powered by Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 Processor on Intel vPro®, Evo™ Edition platform builds on its reputation of being a professional powerhouse.  

Lucky for us, we got up close and personal with the new laptop recently, trying out its suite of smart features that maximise productivity.

Sleek, slim, sustainable

Clocking in at a lightweight 1.21kg, the ThinkPad features a recycled aluminium build and an extremely slim bezel metal frame. Sleek and sophisticated, gone are the days of chunky work notebooks.

ThinkPad’s keyboards have always been built uniquely, but it got a facelift with the Lenovo ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition. 

Designed with a curved lip at the bottom of each key, it’s meant for users’ fingers to fall naturally onto the keyboard. As a writer, I absolutely adored the feel of the keyboard.

The device also promotes sustainable features such as the bamboo and sugarcane packaging it comes in. Aside from that, much of the laptop also incorporates either recycled aluminium or plastic. Its battery cell is 100% recycled cobalt. 

On the topic of sustainability, Lenovo also has a CO2 offsetting programme, allowing corporate clients to manage their carbon footprint via their IT fleet. The offsets are contributed to climate action projects verified by independent third party organisations.

While all these external features of the device are cool, it’s what is on the inside that matters most.

Smart modes for smarter work 

Some key features of Lenovo’s Aura Edition devices is its range of smart tools. 

First is the Smart Mode, which presents five tailored settings for security, collaboration, productivity, and wellness. 

The wellness feature is particularly interesting, promoting digital health by encouraging regular eye breaks and fostering good ergonomics. 

Admittedly, the wellness function is still a bit elusive to me, particularly when it comes to the ergonomics. I didn’t get called out for my atrocious posture, though I did see it happen for someone else.

There’s also the “Shield” mode, which is a privacy feature that auto-blurs your screen when someone is snooping behind the user. 

This mode is super useful for those nomadic workers who like to bring their laptops to public spaces. You don’t have to look over your shoulder, because your laptop is now doing it for you.

Trying it out for myself, I could see that it gets activated fairly consistently, though sometimes it works just a bit too well. In those moments, you can just choose to deactivate the feature or snooze it. 

The “Collaboration” mode enhances audiovisual effects with AI for richer collaboration, regardless of what platform you’re on, be that Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, or anything else. 

We tried having a video call to test how it automatically zooms into faces. Overall, it’s an intuitive and useful feature for those who have lots of work meetings and conference calls. 

If you’re easily distracted, the “Attention” mode suppresses unwanted disruptions such as notifications. It also pulls up a timer for that extra help with time management. 

Sharing and caring 

Have you ever seen an iPhone user seamlessly share files on their phones to their MacBooks and vice versa and felt jealous? 

Well, this Lenovo ThinkPad Aura Edition lets you do just that, whether you’re an Apple or Android user. Using the Smart Share function, you don’t have to be of the same ecosystem now to be able to easily share files—no cables required. 

Testing out this Smart Share feature ourselves, we found that it was a bit finicky at first, but the connection process is relatively straightforward and after a couple of connection errors, we could start seamlessly sharing files through the Intel Unison app. 

We also got to check out the Smart Care features, which offers 24/7 support for the device. 

Want AI, and want it now? 

Love it or hate it, AI is here to stay. We’ve heard of AI PCs ad nauseam nowadays, but Lenovo’s AI Now is actually pretty fascinating. 

It’s still in beta mode, but Lenovo AI Now is essentially an AI companion that uses hybrid large models, combining your personal knowledge base and natural interaction comprehension capabilities.

It’s actually a local system, meaning it doesn’t connect to the cloud to find you answers. Rather, you can think of it as an assistant who can scrub through all your local files to answer your questions and summarise content based on your personal knowledge. 

This is perfect for those who seek to protect their privacy and work data.

Testing it out, I had some challenges getting it to find files using a specific file name, though, but someone else got their laptop to summarise downloaded files. 

Premium, personalised, powerfully productive  

Currently, prices for the Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14 Gen 1 Aura Edition start at around RM7,348.23. 

It’s a premium price, certainly, but this commercial product truly covers the bases of being a high-performance device.

The personalised AI-accelerated features, Copilot+ integration, Lenovo AI Now, and range of smart features really solidify it as a future-proofed device. Powered by Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 Processor on Intel vPro®, Evo™ Edition platform, this device does not fall short when it comes to computing power. 

Our hands-on session with the laptop was quick, but it was enough time to prove to us that the Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14 Gen 1 Aura Edition definitely fulfills all the checkboxes you could have for a solid business laptop—and then some.

• Learn more about the Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14 Gen 1 Aura Edition here, and purchase it here.

Also Read: This global real estate firm is expanding to KL to help local agents achieve their ambitions

All Image Credits: Vulcan Post

This S’porean stay-at-home mum runs a teh tarik biz solo—she even catered for a 600-pax wedding

Norhidayah (Hidayah) Sabri was content with her career working at a merger and acquisitions company in Singapore—that was, until she gave birth to her second child.

Longing to spend more time with her children, she made the decision to leave her job and become a full-time stay-at-home mother.

Her main focus was to care for her kids, yet she also unexpectedly found herself venturing into entrepreneurship.

Today, she single-handedly runs Teh Tarik Shus Bro, a home-based F&B business catering teh tarik for events across Singapore all on her own.

She self-funded the business

Hidayah had no plans of running a business of her own—in fact, she admitted that she could have “never imagined” herself as an entrepreneur.

But that all changed in 2018—shortly after the birth of her second child, Hidayah’s friends came over for a visit, and to welcome them, her mother-in-law prepared a pot of teh tarik.

The tea was so good that one of her friends suggested she start selling it, and after some thought, she figured—why not?

It started off as just something to pass the time while being a stay-at-home and earn some extra side income while at it. I created an Instagram Business Profile to kickstart the business.

Norhidayah Sabri, founder of Teh Tarik Shus Bro

Hidayah self-funded her business with S$500 of her own savings, using the money to source the necessary ingredients for her mother-in-law’s teh tarik recipe and invest in beverage dispensers for catering at large gatherings like as birthday parties and weddings.

After receiving her first few orders, she reinvested her early profits to gradually expand the business, officially registering the business in 2019—but it wasn’t until the COVID-19 pandemic hit that the business truly started to gain traction.

Expanding their offerings

With large social gatherings and events prohibited during the pandemic, many businesses in Singapore were impacted—they were forced to find ways to innovate and adapt, including Teh Tarik Shus Bro.

As the business mainly sold to customers for large gatherings with a minimum order of five liters (which is about 25 servings), Hidayah decided to introduce new packaging options, including three-litre cardboard boxes and plastic pouches, which piqued the interest of customers.

These new packaging options allowed people to enjoy the brand’s teh tarik in smaller quantities, leading to a “surge in popularity” especially during Ramadan in 2020.

As the COVID-19 restrictions kept people apart, many customers began ordering the boxes and pouches as gifts for the friends and family they couldn’t meet.

A one-man show

To date, the largest event Hidayah has catered for was a 600-pax wedding. She also regularly fulfills weekly orders for Hajj classes and church gatherings.

Though the business broke even in its first year, given the minimal initial investment, it took three years for Teh Tarik Shus Bro to become “financially sustainable.”

But getting there wasn’t a walk in the park, as Hidayah had no prior F&B experience.

In the early days of the business, she had to learn how to tweak her mother-in-law’s recipe to accommodate larger orders. “Instead of daily preparation for home consumption, I had to learn the recipe for bigger quantities to be able to cater to the masses,” she shared.

“We also had to ensure quality is the same throughout, so we [created] specific measurements for everything, and it has never changed up to this day.”

After perfecting the recipe, her business began to grow. But despite the increasing demand and uptick in orders, it has always been a one-man operation—and it still is today.

Each drink is made on an order-by-order basis, and beyond preparation, Hidayah also manages marketing, logistics, restocking, customer inquiries, and delivery arrangements.

That said, when she’s short on drivers, her family occasionally steps in to help with Teh Tarik Shus Bro’s deliveries.

If demand exceeds her ability to fulfill them, Hidayah stops taking new orders to ensure her offerings are of quality without overwhelming herself. For Ramadan this year, she is already nearly fully booked and has stopped taking orders.

-//-

Though Teh Tarik Shus Bro has seen steady growth over the past six years, Hidayah isn’t planning to open a physical store anytime soon.

She shared that she is content with her current business model, which allows her to balance running the business with spending time with her two sons at home.

However, she still aims to expand the business’s reach, with the goal of making Teh Tarik Shus Bro a “household name.”

Our aim has always remained the same, no matter how big or small we are, we want to ensure the quality of our teh tarik remains consistent throughout. I strongly believe, as long as the quality remains the same, the business’s name will grow by itself.

Norhidayah Sabri, founder of Teh Tarik Shus Bro

• Find out more about Teh Tarik Shus Bro here.
• Read other articles we’ve written on Singaporean startups here.

Also Read: For hijabis, by a hijabi: This ex-actress opened a Muslim-friendly hair salon in S’pore

Featured Image Credit: Teh Tarik Shus Bro

As 2024 Draws to a Close, How Has Malaysia’s August Cybersecurity Act Been Received?

The Cyber Security Act 2024 (CSA) has brought a distinct approach for Malaysia, which shifts the focus of the country’s critical information infrastructure. Officially, the Act came into force on August 26th, 2024, and has since begun revolutionizing cybersecurity in Malaysia. Read on to learn about it and the improvements it’s making.

Overview of the Cybersecurity Act 2024

Changes in the approach to protecting certain target institutions in Malaysia’s framework come as the CSA introduces a novel piece of framework, the National Critical Information Infrastructure (NCII), which will span multiple institutions that play a critical role in the well-being and economy of the state. Key provisions of the act include:

Mandatory Risk Assessments and Audits

It specifies that NCCI entities shall conduct a cybersecurity risk assessment once every year and two audits at different intervals throughout the sector’s codes. These practices hinge on the need to identify existing gaps and impose requirements.

Incident Reporting Obligations

Under the CSA, the entities exposed to cyber attack incidents shall inform NC4 of any cyber breach within six hours of discovery. Detailed reports containing more information about the incidents must be forwarded within two weeks.

Licensing of Cybersecurity Service Providers (CSSPs)

CSSPs who provide services to the NCII enterprises should secure a license. This requires impairment with international standards. People who provide services without a license have severe consequences. For example, they may be fined from MYR 100,000 to MYR 500,000 and imprisoned for up to ten years.

Enforcement and Penalties

Under the Act, the authorities in charge are given the power to impose penalties, revoke licenses, and prosecute any individual or body that disobeys the law. The penalties are so severe as mentioned above.

Industry and Public Perspectives

Industry Response

The industry working in NCII has always responded optimally to conflicts in the market. Several of them, however, appreciate the need to enhance cybersecurity in Malaysia. The weight associated with compliance demands has raised eyebrows, particularly for the smaller entities with fewer resources. For example, periodic audits, upgrading systems, and licensing costs have been mentioned as deterrents.

Still, large companies that have internal cybersecurity architecture view CSA as useful and necessary.

Public Confidence

In the eyes of the citizens, the Cyber Security Act is a positive move toward enhancing governance for the management of cyber threats. The public can do more to keep themselves safe, like using recommended data removal service, and following opt-out guides to keep their information off the internet, but the new CSA does bring more confidence to them for their online safety.

The cyberattack news that hit the headlines a few years back has caused some users’ disappointment in internet services, so many Malaysians view the Act as a helpful tool.

Challenges in Implementation

Compliance Complexity

The CSA’s requirements, particularly for NCII entities, involve extensive documentation, regular reporting, and adherence to sector-specific codes of practice. Some businesses have expressed difficulties.

Skill and Resource Gaps

The demand for qualified cybersecurity professionals has surged following the CSA’s enactment, highlighting a critical skills gap in the industry.

Balancing Security and Usability

Striking a balance between robust cybersecurity measures and operational efficiency remains a challenge.

Malaysia’s CSA will change the online threat landscape for them, and people are taking the new act positively. Let’s see how it actually changes cybersecurity for the country.

Ranking 26 popular M’sian coffee chains by price and accessibility (but not taste)

Coffee. Malaysians seem to love it, given just how many brands and coffee shops we have. From kopi to fancy brews, options are aplenty. How can we overcome the choice paralysis and make our pick?

Well, taste aside, here’s a 2025 list that’ll help you determine where to grab your cup of joe from. 

A couple of disclaimers on how we’re conducting this comparison: 

• All prices (unless stated otherwise) are obtained on Grab to ensure fairness, as we do not have access to official menus from all the chains. 
• We’re primarily comparing the price of their smallest hot Americano. The volume of beverage you get might differ from chain to chain, though. 
• We’re focused on grab-and-go offerings with delivery options. 
• The information used is the latest information we can find online. 
• The signature drink is either the brand’s “most ordered” on Grab, what the brand states as a “signature” beverage, or just a “specialty” drink. 

And with that, let the coffee chain comparisons begin!

Malaysian brands

1. ZUS Coffee

Officially Malaysia’s largest coffee chain, ZUS Coffee has over 600 outlets in the country and even has a range of ready-to-drink (RTD) products. 

Price of Americano: RM7.45 

Price of signature drink: Their Iced Spanish Latte is RM11.51.

Loyalty incentives: The ZUS Coffee app allows users to collect points and redeem rewards.

Number of outlets: 610

Food options: Yes

Vegan milk options: Soy, almond, and oat 

2. Gigi Coffee

Gigi Coffee is another popular Malaysian coffee chain, known for serving up affordable drinks. 

Price of Americano: RM8.49

Price of signature drink: It’s RM12.26 for their Buttercream Latte (Cold).

Loyalty incentives: The Gigi Coffee app lets users collect points and redeem rewards.

Number of outlets: 160 

Food options: Yes 

Vegan milk options: Yes, they offer soy milk, coconut milk, oat milk.

3. San Francisco Coffee

Founded in 1997, San Francisco Coffee is one of the OG coffee chains in Malaysia. 

Price of Americano: RM10.85

Price of signature drink: Their Carmel by the Sea is RM17.03. 

Loyalty incentives: None that we could find.

Number of outlets: 53, according to a count we did on their website.

Food options: Yes 

Vegan milk options: Yes, they offer soy milk, coconut milk, and oat milk. 

4. Bask Bear Coffee

A sister brand of Tealive, Bask Bear Coffee is known for their drinks as well as toasties. 

Price of Americano: RM7.45

Price of signature drink: Their Aren Caramel Latte is RM11.23.

Loyalty incentives: The Bask Bear app offers exclusive in-app deals and points collection.

Number of outlets: 125

Food options: Yes

Vegan milk options: Yes, they offer oat milk. 

5. Richiamo Coffee

Richiamo Coffee Malaysian coffee chain was founded in 2016. 

Price of Americano: RM11

Price of signature drink: Their Salted Caramello Cappuccino is RM16. 

Loyalty incentives: The Richiamo app lets users collect points and redeem rewards.

Number of outlets: 189 as of December 2023

Food options: Yes 

Vegan milk options: None that we could find. 

6. Koppiku

This homegrown coffee chain was funded some US$2.5 million in March 2024.

Price of Americano: RM5.66

Price of signature drink: Their Koppiku Latte is RM8.96. 

Loyalty incentives: They have Daily Koppi passes.

Number of outlets: 43

Food options: Yes 

Vegan milk options: Yes, they offer oat milk. 

7. Kee Nguyen

A Vietnamese coffee purveyor in Malaysia, Kee Nguyen was founded by two friends.

Price of Americano: RM7

Price of signature drink: Their Condensed Milk Ca Phe Sua is RM8. 

Loyalty incentives: None that we could find.

Number of outlets: Over 50 

Food options: None that we could find. 

Vegan milk options: None that we could find. 

8. Kopi Saigon

Kopi Saigon is yet another Vietnamese coffee chain in Malaysia. 

Price of Americano: RM7.75 (Kopi Hitam)

Price of signature drink: Their Kopi Saigon is RM10.85. 

Loyalty incentives: None that we could find. 

Number of outlets: 139

Food options: None that we could find. 

Vegan milk options: None that we could find. 

9. Today’s by Dalton Cafe

This chain stands out with its Bring Your Own Cup programme where patrons can get RM3 off when they bring their own drink vessel. 

Price of Americano: RM11.50

Price of signature drink: Their Tiramisu Iced Latte is RM13.50 for 12 ounces. 

Loyalty incentives: None that we could find.

Number of outlets: 5

Food options: Yes 

Vegan milk options: Yes, they offer oat milk. 

10. Nasken Coffee

Originating in Kelantan, Nasken Coffee’s outlets are concentrated on the northeast of Peninsular Malaysia, but has three outlets in the Klang Valley area. 

Price of Americano: RM9.54

Price of signature drink: Their Latte Biscoff is RM16.96.

Loyalty incentives: None that we could find. 

Number of outlets: 39

Food options: Yes 

Vegan milk options: None that we could find.

International brands

11. Tim Hortons 

Canada’s Tim Hortons entered Malaysia last August and has expanded to six outlets. 

Price of Americano: RM10.40

Price of signature drink: Their Maple Cinnamon Latte is RM17.20. 

Loyalty incentives: The Tims Rewards app offers member-only benefits and treats.

Number of outlets: 6 

Food options: Yes

Vegan milk options: Yes, they offer coconut milk, almond milk, soy milk, and oat milk.  

12. Luckin Coffee 

China’s biggest coffee chain has launched in Malaysia earlier this year. At the time of writing, they don’t appear to be available on delivery platforms locally. The pricing listed below is their in-store prices. 

A trip we made to their outlet also informed us that you currently need to download the app in order to place any orders.

Price of Americano: RM9

Price of signature drink: Their Coconut Velvet Latte is RM15. 

Loyalty incentives: The Luckin Coffee App offers deals and referral rewards. 

Number of outlets: 5

Food options: None that we can see (for now). 

Vegan milk options: None that we can find. 

13. Cotti Coffee

You can’t bring up Luckin without Cotti, which was founded in 2022 by former Luckin Coffee executives Lu Zhengyao and Qian Zhiya. 

Price of Americano: RM7.50

Price of signature drink: Their Pandan Jasmine Latte is RM11.90. 

Loyalty incentives: There’s an app, but it’s unclear whether there are exclusive benefits to using it. 

Number of outlets: 30+ according to Google Maps 

Food options: Yes

Vegan milk options: None that we can find. 

14. Starbucks

No introductions needed, Starbucks is the American coffee chain that’s been present locally since 1998. 

Price of Americano: RM9.90

Price of signature drink: Their Iced Caramel Macchiato Espresso is RM17. 

Loyalty incentives: The Starbucks Rewards app offers exclusive benefits and points collection. 

Number of outlets: 320+

Food options: Yes

Vegan milk options: Yes, they offer soy milk, almond milk, and coconut milk. 

15. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

Hailing from Los Angeles, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf has been in Malaysia since 1997. 

Price of Americano: RM11.13

Price of signature drink: Their Iced Dry Americano is RM16.51.

Loyalty incentives: The MyCBTL app offers rewards and treats. 

Number of outlets: 150 as of April 2023 

Food options: Yes

Vegan milk options: Yes, they offer oat milk and almond milk. 

16. Dunkin’ Donuts

Known for their doughnuts, Dunkin’ also offers up a range of coffees. 

Price of Americano: RM8.93

Price of signature drink: Their Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso is RM15.66.

Loyalty incentives: None that we can find in Malaysia. 

Number of outlets: 105, according to a count we did on their website. 

Food options: Yes 

Vegan milk options: None that we could find.

17. Kenangan Coffee

Hailing from Indonesia, Kenangan Coffee is a unicorn startup—meaning it had a valuation of over US$1 billion. 

Price of Americano: RM7.45 

Price of signature drink: Their Kenangan Latte is RM11.23. 

Loyalty incentives: The Kenangan Coffee app offers free vouchers, priority access, and extra benefits. 

Number of outlets: 93 according to a count we did on their website. 

Food options: Yes

Vegan milk options: Yes, they offer oat milk.

18. HWC Coffee

The HWC Coffee brand was originally established in Taiwan.

Price of Americano: RM10.50

Price of signature drink: Their Brown Sugar Caffe Latte is RM9.73.

Loyalty incentives: The HWC Coffee Malaysia app offers exclusive deals and rewards. 

Number of outlets: 69 according to a count we did on their website.

Food options: Yes

Vegan milk options: Yes, they offer coconut milk, soya milk, oat milk, and almond milk. 

19. Coffea Coffee

Coffea Coffee is a specialty coffee brand that was started by GSI in Korea in 2004.

Price of Americano: RM11

Price of signature drink: Their Peanut Butter Mocha Latte RM17.50. 

Loyalty incentives: Get 10% off every purchase if you join their membership. 

Number of outlets: 13

Food options: Yes

Vegan milk options: Yes, they offer oat milk. 

20. Gloria Jean’s Coffees

Founded in 1979, Gloria Jean’s Coffees was first founded in Chicago, Illinois and grew to 600+ stores across 40 countries. 

Price of Americano: RM12.30 

Price of signature drink: Their Caramelatte is RM19.50.

Loyalty incentives: None that we could find.

Number of outlets: 44 as of January 2023.

Food options: Yes 

Vegan milk options: None that we could find. 

21. Costa Coffee

First founded in London in 1971, Costa Coffee began as a wholesale operation supplying roasted coffee to caterers and specialist Italian coffee shops. It’s not present on most delivery platforms, though. The following prices are from foodpanda.

Price of Americano: RM12.10

Price of signature drink: Their Costa Kopi is RM19.90.

Loyalty incentives: None that we could find.

Number of outlets: 5 outlets (and more than 650 self-serve Smart Café machines) as of April 2024

Food options: Yes 

Vegan milk options: Yes, they offer oat milk, soy milk, and almond milk, but only at Costa Coffee retail stores (excluding airport stores).

22. 5Coffee (OFFFFive Coffee) 

Founded in China in 2020, 5Coffee is known for their distinct neon green branding. 

Price of Americano: RM11.80 

Price of signature drink: Their Iced Spanish Black Latte is RM17.80.

Loyalty incentives: None that we could find. 

Number of outlets: 7 according to their website

Food options: Yes

Vegan milk options: Yes, they offer oat milk.

Fast food and convenience stores

23. McCafé

With McDonald’s being one of the biggest brands in the world, their McCafé offerings have become quite accessible for their coffees. 

Price of Americano: RM6.90

Price of signature drink: A medium iced latte is RM8.90.

Loyalty incentives: The McDonald’s app lets you collect points in exchange for rewards.

Number of outlets: There are more than 370 McDonald’s in Malaysia 

Food options: Yes 

Vegan milk options: None that we could find.

24. Family Mart

This Japanese convenience store offers a range of hot foods and drinks. 

Price of Americano: RM6.90

Price of signature drink: A medium iced latte is RM8.90.

Loyalty incentives: The Family Mart app lets you collect points. 

Number of outlets: 360 as of May 2023.

Food options: Yes 

Vegan milk options: None that we could find.

25. CU

This Korean convenience store chain is operated by myNEWS in Malaysia. 

Price of Americano: RM7.12

Price of signature drink: A Hazelnut Iced Americano is RM13.19. 

Loyalty incentives: myREWARDS app offers points collection for myNEWS, CU, Maru Coffee, and SuperValue. 

Number of outlets: 140 as of November 2023.

Food options: Yes 

Vegan milk options: None that we could find.

26. emart24

Originally from Korea, emart24 entered Malaysia, its first overseas market, in 2021. 

Price of Americano: RM7.60

Price of signature drink: Their Butterscotch Iced Mocha is RM12.70.  

Loyalty incentives: The emart24 MY app offers exclusive rewards. 

Number of outlets: 86, according to a count we did on their website.

Food options: Yes 

Vegan milk options: None that we could find.

A chart for you 

Here’s a toggle-able chart for you to rank the above coffee chains based on varying criteria. 

We first published a comparative analysis like this one in January 2024, but since then, many newcomers have entered the scene, and some businesses have changed their pricing. 

• Read other articles we’ve written about F&B here.

Also Read: This HP smart printer proves that M’sian SMEs don’t have to break the bank for reliability

Featured Image Credit: Koppiku / Luckin Coffee / ZUS Coffee

374,000 Singaporeans earn S$10,000 per month or more. Here’s who they are and what they do.

Disclaimer: Unless otherwise stated, any opinions expressed below belong solely to the author. All data comes from the Singapore Ministry of Manpower.

We all know the median income figures for the Singaporean population, but, like every average figure, it’s a bit meaningless for most, because it includes a broad range of people, including the elderly, the young, and those just entering the workforce or those leaving it.

Hence, let’s focus on figures that most Singaporeans would consider aspirational—a professional target in life that’s not obscenely high, but high enough that most could realistically dream of achieving them.

Like a nice, round S$10,000 per month (excluding employer’s CPF).

Nearly one in four Singaporeans makes six figures per year

Around 24% of full-time employed residents take home around S$100,000 per year. And close to one in five (18%) make S$120,000—or S$10,000 per month.

This amounts to 373,700 people, to be exact, out of the 2.067 million residents working at least 35 hours per week.

Who are they? Where do they work? How educated are they? Does entrepreneurship pay more than employment?

Let’s take a look, starting with the basics: occupation. Which industry pays the best?

Breakdown by industry

Unsurprisingly, financial services top the table, making up 23% of those earning over S$10,000 per month—but what’s even more impressive is that nearly 40% of all workers in finance make that much.

It’s nearly a 10 percentage point lead over the second most generous industry, which is IT & Communications. While relatively fewer people work in it, nearly 30% take home S$120,000+ per year.

It’s followed by Professional Services, when that ratio drops to one in four.

Public administration’s performance is notable too, with nearly one in five employees in this high-income bracket. The government pays its people well.

Breakdown by age

What about the age of these relatively high earners? Well, as expected, they reach their financial peak in their 40s, with earnings gradually going down as they approach retirement.

What’s interesting, however, is that there are over 6,000 fresh graduates in their late 20s, who have started their careers with a good six-figure pay.

Breakdown by education

As I reported last month, education pays in Singapore, with the median salary for degree holders hitting S$8,650 in 2024. And you can see this among the highest-paid full-time workers as well.

Nearly 325,000, or 87%, hold a degree, and 9% have a diploma or other professional qualifications. But there’s hope for everyone, as there are thousands of high earners without advanced education as well.

After all, you don’t need a degree if you own your own company, right?

Does entrepreneurship pay?

Yes, it does, but perhaps not quite as well as you may have thought. While a quarter of people employing others earn S$10,000 or more each month, compared to 18.5% for regular employees, the difference is just a bit over six percentage points.

The contrast becomes even more stark when you consider that there are 1.84 million employees but just 79,000 employers, meaning only less than 20,000 of them fall into this category.

So, yes, building your own business may be rewarding, but the odds that you will be better off than in a traditional career are not that much more attractive.

Meanwhile, own-account workers, like freelancers, face about two times lower chances of making good money than regular employees.

That said, those who are self-employed might not be in it for big sums but rather some extra cash for the household. Nevertheless, one in every eleven earns almost twice the national median working on their own.

I hope this breakdown helps you better understand your specific situation based on your profession, educational background and preferred career.

While national averages dominate the headlines, they aren’t as informative as industry-specific data and a more detailed performance summary of groups that share your characteristics, age and life choices.

Now you know where you stand.

• Read other articles we’ve written on Singapore’s current affairs here.

Also Read: Want to make S$10,000+ a mth in S’pore? MOM data shows it will cost you a few weeks each year.

Featured Image Credit: Shadow of light/ Shutterstock.com

Cathay Cineplexes to close its JEM outlet as landlord seeks S$4.3M in rental dues

Cathay Cineplexes will close its JEM shopping mall outlet in Jurong East today (March 27).

In its filing on the Singapore Exchange, the cinema chain’s operator, mm2 Asia, stated that the closure follows over a year of negotiations with the landlord, Lendlease Global Commercial Real Estate Investment Trust.

Cathay Cineplexes “has been actively engaging with the landlord to negotiate and resolve issues related to the continued occupation of the premises and rent arrears.”

However, Lendlease ultimately chose to terminate the lease, seeking to recover approximately S$4.3 million in rental arrears, among other costs.

When Vulcan Post checked Cathay Cineplexes’ website, no movie listings were available for its Jem outlet.

With the JEM outlet closure, Cathay Cineplexes will have four remaining outlets:

• Causeway Point,
• Downtown East,
• Century Square, and
• Clementi 321.

Over the past few years, Cathay Cineplexes has shuttered five other locations, which include its outlets at West Mall, AMK Hub, Dhoby Ghaut, Parkway Parade, and Cineleisure Orchard.

In an effort to sustain its operations, the cinema chain recently launched a voucher set, offering 10 movie tickets and 10 popcorn-and-water combos for just S$100—a significant discount from the original price of S$223.

Also Read: Filmgarde Cineplexes closes its last outlet in Singapore, exits cinema industry after 18 yrs

Featured Image Credit: Cathay Cineplexes

BNPL for fried chicken? That’s exactly what KFC M’sia & Boost have teamed up to offer.

KFC Malaysia just dropped something that had us doing a double take and wondering if it was an early April Fools joke, but perhaps the joke is on us.

Earlier today, KFC introduced its very own Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) payment scheme, QSR PayFlex, powered by Boost.

Through the scheme, fried chicken lovers would be able to split their KFC bill into three monthly installments, with a RM5 service fee (Wakalah fee) for totals below RM100, going up to RM10 for those at RM100 or more.

Certified Shariah compliant, a 2.5% profit rate would also be incurred, paid on each installment date.

Like most other BNPL schemes, a late payment would also be subject to a 1% p.a. interest rate, calculated daily on the outstanding balance.

To register for the service, you can do so via PayFlex’s website, and upon entering your credentials, a check will be done to see if you meet the eligibility criteria.

These criteria include:

• Being a Malaysian citizen
• Aged between 21-60 years old
• Passed the internal credit score eligibility and assessment

Editor’s Update: The information above has been updated to reflect greater accuracy.

QSR PayFlex currently only accepts debit cards for repayment, which can be made manually through the website or via automatic deductions.

Maybe KFC was inspired by American food delivery service, DoorDash’s announcement to partner with financial company, Klarna, offering users to pay for their food deliveries in small, regular installments.

When the option launches “soon,” DoorDash users can use Klarna to pay in four, interest-free payments or defer payments and let people pick a “date that aligns with their paycheck schedules, according to DoorDash’s press release.

As expressed by Business Insider writer, Emily Stewart, “this scenario might involve more risk than reward for consumers, many of whom are already drowning in debt.”

Part of the way BNPL companies make money is through merchant fees, where the platform that actually books the sale pays a fee to the payment partner, like Klarna or Affirm. 

This is similar to credit card swipe fees, but the payouts tend to be even higher. Businesses sign up for merchant fees because giving consumers expanded payment options like BNPL makes them likelier to buy and increases the size of their baskets.

As such, opinions on the ethics of KFC Malaysia making such a move are divided, with some social media users expressing the risk of going into debt from impulsive purchases, while others claim it improves accessibility and convenience for those living paycheck to paycheck.

• Learn more about QSR PayFlex here.
• Read our other F&B stories here.

Also Read: This HP smart printer proves that M’sian SMEs don’t have to break the bank for reliability

Featured Image Credit: KFC Malaysia