Deep Dive

CNA

CNA's weekly news podcast takes a deep dive into issues that people talk about at dining tables and in office corridors. Previously called Heart of the Matter, Deep Dive is now hosted by Steven Chia and Crispina Robert. The views and opinions shared during this podcast series are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of Mediacorp Pte. Ltd. or its group of companies.

  • 20 minutes 27 seconds
    Jetstar Asia closure: Are the days of cheap fares over?

    Jetstar Asia will cease operations on Jul 31, a move unsurprising to experts because the low-cost carrier was struggling to turn a profit in a tough aviation market. Otelli Edwards speaks to Shukor Yusof from aviation consultancy Endau Analytics and Dr Nitin Pangarkar from NUS Business School to find out what the future holds.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    19 June 2025, 11:00 pm
  • 24 minutes 33 seconds
    Is Singapore's electric vehicle infrastructure catching up with demand?

    Electric vehicle sales hit a new high in the first three months of 2025, accounting for 40 per cent of total car registrations. Yet concerns about charging networks and capacity remain.

    Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards speak with transport economist Walter Theseira and Stephanie Tan, CEO of EV-Electric Charging.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    12 June 2025, 11:00 pm
  • 17 minutes 33 seconds
    Calling 995? You may be rerouted to the NurseFirst helpline instead – here’s how it works

    Non-life-threatening 995 calls will be directed to NurseFirst, a triage helpline, under a six-month nationwide trial aimed at easing the burden on emergency services. How exactly does it work, and will the public adapt?

    Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards find out from Col Dr David Pflug, chief medical officer of the Singapore Civil Defence Force and Dr Jade Kua, clinical lead for the NurseFirst helpline and senior consultant at the emergency medicine department in Woodlands Health.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    5 June 2025, 11:00 pm
  • 25 minutes 10 seconds
    Have rising commercial rents reached a tipping point?

    Amid rising rents and growing competition, some Singapore businesses are closing down or relocating to cheaper premises. A local bakery in Siglap recently announced on social media it was moving out after its rent was increased by 57 per cent. Are commercial rent hikes spiralling out of control, or is this simply market forces at work?

    Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards speak to Ethan Hsu, head of retail at Knight Frank Singapore, and Terence Yow, managing director of Enviably Me Group of Companies and chairperson of the SG Tenants United for Fairness.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    29 May 2025, 11:00 pm
  • 19 minutes 36 seconds
    Cabinet reshuffle: No big surprises but key moves to align the ministries under PM Wong’s 4G team

    Prime Minister Lawrence Wong unveiled his Cabinet and one surprise was the lack of a second deputy prime minister. Instead, the new Cabinet includes three coordinating ministers. What does that signal? And will there be more changes to come? Steven Chia speaks to independent political observer Dr Felix Tan and Dr Elvin Ong of the National University of Singapore.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    22 May 2025, 11:00 pm
  • 21 minutes 1 second
    GE2025: Are independent candidates a new force to be reckoned with?

    For the first time in 53 years, an independent candidate received more than 35 per cent of vote share, performing better than some smaller opposition parties. Jeremy Tan, who ran in Mountbatten SMC, and Darryl Lo who contested in Radin Mas SMC, join Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards to talk about lessons learnt from their campaigning and their future after GE2025.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    15 May 2025, 11:00 pm
  • 23 minutes 22 seconds
    GE2025 results: A closer look at the strong PAP mandate and the opposition strategy

    Voters gave the People's Action Party and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong a clear mandate in GE2025. What accounted for the result and why couldn't the opposition parties make good on gains from the last election? Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards speak to Associate Professor Eugene Tan from the Singapore Management University and Dr Reuben Ng from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    6 May 2025, 5:37 am
  • 20 minutes 9 seconds
    WP's Jasper Kuan on the 3-hour chat with former chief Low Thia Khiang that convinced him to run for GE2025

    East Coast GRC candidate for the Workers’ Party Jasper Kuan admits this may not be the right “season” for him to jump into politics because of his three young children. But he tells Steven Chia how a three-hour conversation with Low Thia Khiang changed his mind and why as a former Gifted Education Programme teacher, he believes the education system needs structural changes.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    30 April 2025, 11:00 pm
  • 18 minutes 12 seconds
    GE2025: PAP’s Elysa Chen on being 'kicked into politics' and overcoming imposter syndrome

    Politics was never part of Elysa Chen’s plan, who used to think of the PAP as “paternalistic” and “out of touch”. But one tea session with the PAP led to another, and now, the party’s new face is standing in GE2025. She tells Steven Chia on the Deep Dive podcast why contesting in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC feels like a “homecoming”.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    29 April 2025, 11:00 pm
  • 17 minutes 25 seconds
    GE2025: PSP's Stephanie Tan on making the leap from homemaker to political candidate

    After years of being a lawyer, Stephanie Tan became a stay-at-home mum to care for her two daughters. She has used her experience in law to help the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) with their parliamentary work over the last two years.

    Now a first-time candidate contesting Pioneer SMC, Stephanie tells Otelli Edwards how party chairman Dr Tan Cheng Bock inspired her to join politics and how being a parent helps her connect better with residents.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    28 April 2025, 11:00 pm
  • 20 minutes 44 seconds
    GE2025: PAP's Jasmin Lau on saying 'yes' to politics but staying true to herself

    PAP new face Jasmin Lau, who is contesting in Ang Mo Kio GRC, went from government scholar to rising up the ranks in the civil service. She tells Otelli Edwards on this special series of the Deep Dive podcast how she copes with self-doubt and why she said yes to entering politics. 

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    27 April 2025, 11:00 pm
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