Budget 2024: Lower wage workers to get more Workfare payouts, local qualifying salary to be raised to S$1,600
As part of the government’s enhancements to the Workfare Income Scheme, salaries for lower-wage workers will be adjusted, DPM Wong announced in his Budget speech today (Feb 16). Adjustments will be made to workfare and progressive wages to reduce wage disparity and ensure that lower-wage workers continue to be uplifted. Lower-wage senior workers will qualify […]
Budget 2024: S’pore injects S$1.9bn into Assurance Package, households to receive S$600 in CDC vouchers
The Singapore government will inject an additional S$1.9 billion into enhancements for the Assurance Package to help Singaporeans cope with cost-of-living concerns and economic uncertainties, said DPM Lawrence Wong in his Budget 2024 speech today (Feb 16). The enhancements will support residents in four main areas. Firstly, each Singaporean household will receive an additional S$600 […]
Budget 2024: Gov’t launches a S$1.3b support package for S’pore bizs
In his Budget 2024 speech today (Feb 16), DPM Lawrence Wong announced a new S$1.3 billion support package to help Singapore businesses manage costs. Called the Enterprise Support Package, it will provide companies a 50 per cent corporate income tax rebate capped at S$40,000, in the year of assessment 2024. Businesses that are not profitable […]
Budget 2024: S’pore gov’t expects lower inflation and economic growth of 1 to 3% this year
Delivering his Budget 2024 speech today (Feb 16), Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong said Singapore’s economy grew by a modest 1.1 per cent in 2023, avoiding a recession. Many households in Singapore are feeling the pressure of a higher living cost. Fortunately, though, Singapore’s economic rebound in the past two […]
She started a S’porean clay jewellery brand in uni, it’s been her full-time job for 4 yrs
Turning 26 this year, Sparkle first ventured into jewellery-making as a teenager in 2014, when she was exploring her own personal style and identity. “I’d spend hours after school browsing thrift stores, Carousell, and local shops hoping to find jewellery that resonated with me,” she shared. “Unfortunately, such pieces were difficult to come by, and […]
AI is now used to create fake IDs from 26 countries to bypass KYC checks on crypto platforms
Disclaimer: Any opinions expressed below belong solely to the author. “The era of rendering documents using Photoshop is coming to an end,” announces OnlyFake’s Telegram account. The underground site is offering (or, as of now, used to as it went dark for the time being) realistic images of fake IDs like passports or driving licenses […]
How this M’sian engineer went from selling K-beauty items to starting her own skincare range
As a skincare enthusiast, I’m constantly on the lookout for affordable yet effective products. And since the pandemic and the #sapotlokal initiative it birthed, I’ve been more open to trying local brands. It was during one of these searches that I came across The Pastels Shop. On the surface, it just seemed like another distributor […]
EVs outpace petrol vehicle registrations in S’pore for the first time – BYD claims top spot
According to the latest statistics from Singapore’s Land Transport Authority, the monthly new registration of electric vehicles (EV) has reached 28 per cent, 4 per cent higher than petrol vehicles in Singapore for the first time. This follows the surge in EV registrations in Singapore last year, with a 50.3 per cent year-on-year increase in 2023 compared […]
Through volunteer work, this S’porean found her calling in running a handmade zero-waste biz
It all started back in 2019, when Kay’s friend asked her for a simple request—to sew. At the time, the friend was assembling a group of volunteers to sew reusable cloth pads from donated fabric such as towels and shirts. The purpose was to donate to girls in Kenya who would usually miss one week […]
Imported isn’t always better: This KK steakhouse wants locals to rediscover Sabahan flavours
Located in Kota Kinabalu, Wine at the Peak is a one-year-old steakhouse that’s all about paying homage to the land it takes from. Its head chef, Bryan, shared with Vulcan Post: “It doesn’t always have to be imported to be better, Sabah is a rich state with so many things to discover, possibilities are endless […]
This Michelin-trained chef started an exclusive & private dining club in his Bangsar home
When talking about private dining, you’d probably imagine an intimate room that’s separated from the rest of the restaurant. They’re perfect for small gatherings to celebrate weddings, birthday parties, or even corporate events. But have you ever heard of a secretive private dining restaurant? No, not the kind that’s hidden behind an inconspicuous door disguised […]
Meet Malaysia’s biggest HR star who quit corporate to be a full-time influencer at 45 Y/O
With over 160K followers on TikTok, 110K on Instagram, and 50K on LinkedIn, Sim Ling Ku is an influencer that undoubtedly has a fair share of sway with working professionals in Malaysia. But rather than her name, you might recognise her by either her (somewhat NSFW) username of professionalbimbo or the nickname bestowed upon her—Aunty […]
Power couple: JianHao Tan and Debbie Soon on entrepreneurship, parenting and work life balance
Some may say that intertwining professional and personal life is a recipe for disaster, but for influencer couple JianHao Tan and Debbie Soon, this couldn’t be further from the truth. For those who aren’t in the know, JianHao started as a YouTuber and is now the CEO of his own media and entertainment company, Titan […]
This lawyer started Sabah’s first exotic pet sanctuary that now also has a cafe
When Aaron Mark Prius first got his exotic pets, a chinchilla and prairie dog, he never thought they would be the catalyst of multiple exotic pet-related ventures. (And no, not the kind that sells exotic pets.) But fast forward a few months later, he’s the founder of Mark Baba Pets Farm & Exotics, one of […]
This M’sian biz personalises education using kids’ DNA & made almost 7 figures in its 1st yr
DNA testing services are nothing new. Malaysia is already home to a couple of such startups, including Advanx Health and myPreciseDNA. Another homegrown company that has popped up in this sector is Nutrigene. While Nutrigene’s DNA analysis technology isn’t exactly novel, what sets this business apart is how they apply it. Beyond things like ancestry […]
This S’porean started a biz making personalised pet supplies while in uni, now it’s 5 Y/O
For most people, the final semester of university is a time of reflection and chaos. Folks would usually be scrambling to look for either an internship placement or a new job posting as a buffer before graduation. But Shirley didn’t do any of these. Instead, she knew she didn’t want to work in a corporate […]
Former ecommerce giant Wish sold to Singapore’s Qoo10 for less than 1% of its peak value
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed below belong solely to the author. In a painful fall from grace, the once viral low-cost e-commerce marketplace Wish is to be acquired by Singapore’s Qoo10 for just US$173 million in cash. Almost exactly 3 years ago, in February 2021, the company’s value peaked at over US$18 billion, following its IPO in […]
Nasi lemak without nasi: Here’s a M’sian brand that specialises in savoury granola flavours
Generally considered Malaysia’s national dish, nasi lemak is something you can’t miss if you live in or visit this country. But as fragrant and delicious as it is, the indulgent dish can also be quite unhealthy, what with all the fats and sodium content involved. Of course, it’s fine when taken in moderation, but for […]
After 7 yrs in KL, this ex-accountant started a Penang café specialising in all-day brunch
There’s no doubt that Penang is home to lots of good food. The culinary destination is known for its local delights, though over the years more cafes serving modern fare have established themselves in the scene, too. A relatively new name that belongs to the latter category is George Town’s Yolk. Perhaps a typical Penangite, […]
This M’sian bid for the PappaRich brand and won, here’s how he plans to revamp it
To the average Malaysian, PappaRich would be a familiar name. It’s an eatery known for serving traditional kopitiam food that we grew up with in a more sleek and modern setting. Some could argue that it’s even more comfortable as well. In recent years, though, the brand appeared to be finding better success abroad than […]
This S’porean created S’pore’s first halal bar with S$150k, now owns 4 halal F&B brands
They say to make success out of something, you need to start young. That was what Max Ahmad, the founder of The Halal Mixologist, did. From selling Digimon and Pokemon cards to his secondary school classmates, to teaching tennis as a Junior College student, Max knew that he wanted to run his own business one day. His interest in business […]
Median S’pore households made S$9240 more last year, monthly income to cross S$11,000 in 2024
Disclaimer: Unless otherwise stated opinions expressed below belong solely to the author. Singapore Department of Statistics released its latest Key Household Income Data 2023 two days ago, reporting that the median monthly household income from work (inclusive of employer CPF) increased to S$10,869 last year among resident households (citizens and permanent residents). Median figure is […]
5 townships in Greater KL & Seremban worth considering for families eyeing a landed home
[This is a sponsored article with Sime Darby Property.] Choosing where to live is a deeply personal decision for Malaysians. While individuals and young adults may prioritise accessibility, convenience, and public transport as they kick-start their careers, those with families may look for well-equipped townships. Whether you’re a first-time home buyer, seasoned investor, or merely […]
Not your usual brewery, this M’sian couple’s biz makes non-alcoholic beers & wines for dogs
“As paw parents ourselves, Herbie and I enjoy fine food and wine so we just wanted Skippy (their Golden Retriever) to experience the life we live,” Stephanie Chan shared. Every year, the couple would plan Skippy’s birthday in advance and invite her dog pals to the house for a party. Each celebration would be better […]
How this social enterprise in Ipoh helps the needy beyond just giving handouts
Every year, 8.3 million metric tonnes of food is wasted in Malaysia. That’s more than 22,000 tonnes every day. At the same time, many go hungry in this country on a daily basis. Clearly, there’s a gap between the food that is available and the people who need it the most. One organisation that’s addressing […]
1 yr into their handcrafted fragrance biz, these M’sian sisters made it into Tsutaya Books
One thing I’ve noticed people are keen on purchasing these days is fragrance. Not just perfume, but aromatherapy home products like candles and diffusers. With such a growing interest, it’s not surprising that many brands have mushroomed to meet this demand. Rokuscent is one such local name. Scrolling through their products, you might dismiss it […]
From rags to riches: Meet BYD’s Wang Chuanfu, the billionaire founder of S’pore’s top-selling EV brand
When BYD first announced that it would transition from making batteries to electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid cars in 2003, it was met with ridicule and scepticism. Wang Chuanfu, the 57-year-old founder and CEO of the firm, recalled that the value of BYD’s shares halved as investors questioned its strategy. But they’re not to blame. […]
After 11 yrs in fine dining, he returned to Penang from abroad & opened a Texas BBQ joint
Deemed a foodie haven, Penang is one of the most popular travel destinations in Malaysia. In fact, the state’s Tourism and Creative Economy Committee reported that a total of 1,682,094 tourist arrivals were recorded for the first six months of 2023. But nestled amongst all these local gems is somewhat of an outlier. Instead of […]
Founded in the 1950s, here’s how Ann Chin Popiah’s 2nd & 3rd gen owners revamped the biz
With 13 stores and supplying to 10 vendors and hotels, Ann Chin Popiah is arguably one of the most popular popiah brands in the country. Even the Michelin Guide itself has recognised it, specifically for its Chinatown Complex Market & Food Centre location. First established all the way back in the late 1950s by a […]
Balancing profit & impact, this 14 Y/O M’sian batik social enterprise isn’t done growing yet
If you tuned into the Budget 2024 tabling last October, you may have noticed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim carrying a rather eye-catching bag. Featuring black leather and an interesting geometric pattern, it was supplied by a homegrown social enterprise named Batik Boutique. According to Amy Blair, the founder of Batik Boutique, the Prime Minister’s office […]
