Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

A tussle between father and son for control of property giant City Developments Limited (CDL) was revealed on Feb 26, with executive chairman Kwek Leng Beng publicly criticising his son Sherman, who is CDL’s group chief executive.  The older Kwek said that he has filed court papers to address the “attempted coup” by Mr Sherman Kuek, 49, board members Philip Lee Jee Cheng and Wong Ai Ai as well as a group of directors acting with them to allegedly consolidate control of CDL’s board. What are the legal implications of this ongoing tussle between father and son? What does this family turmoil mean for the future of CDL, and investor confidence?  On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Professor Sumit Agarwal, Low Tuck Kwong Distinguished Professor of Finance at the Business School and a Professor of Economics and Real Estate at the National University of Singapore to find out more. 

If you’re in real estate, especially residential development, you’ll want to hear about Proplens AI. This innovative platform offers two powerful solutions: An AI interface for engaging with your homebuyer leads and an internal AI co-pilot designed to assist your sales and support teams. Proplens AI seamlessly integrates your proprietary project data, along with external datasets and market regulations, to act as an efficient, intelligent team member. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Saranyan Rangarajan, Founder and CEO, Proplens to find out more. 

Bitcoin kicked off the year in rally mode, fueled by optimism about the positive changes the new Trump administration was expected to make for the crypto industry. But that seems to have come to an end.  Bitcoin has tumbled below $90,000 to hit the lowest level since mid-November, as the rally that followed Donald Trump’s election to the White House reverses under the weight of his trade tariffs and a string of industry setbacks. Other cryptocurrencies also fell, with Ether, XRP and Solana down sharply. What’s causing this sell-off? Is this the end of the crypto boom.. And the start of another crypto winter?  On The Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Ornella Hernandez, Presenter, Moniify Playbook to find out more.

Singapore shares were roughly flat at around 2pm today, as investors continue to mull corporate earnings out of the country.  The STI was up 0.19 point then at 3,916.06 points with a value turnover of S$950M in the broader market.    In terms of companies to watch, we have OCBC after the lender today reported a net profit of S$1.69 billion for the fourth quarter ended December, up 4 per cent from S$1.62 billion in the previous corresponding period. Elsewhere, from a tussle for control over property giant City Developments Limited, to DeepSeek reopening access to its core programming interface after nearly a three-week suspension, more corporate and international headlines remain in focus.  On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Jeff Ng, Head of Asia Macro Strategy, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation.

Manchester United legend and 13-time Premier League winner Ryan Giggs steps into the Sports Minutes hot seat - reflecting on his illustrious career, Sir Alex Ferguson’s enduring legacy, and the frustration of watching rivals Liverpool rise while his beloved Red Devils struggle to reclaim their former glory. But could Ruben Amorim be the man to turn things around at Old Trafford? Tune in to find out! READ MORE: https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/even-alex-ferguson-would-struggle-at-manchester-united-now-ryan-giggs Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg

The real estate sector saw notable movements as several REITs and property companies reported weaker rental income and lower distributions, signalling a shift in the local market. Also, President Donald Trump’s protectionist trade measures, including tariffs on semiconductors, autos, and pharmaceuticals, are raising concerns about disruptions to global supply chains. His crackdown on Chinese investments, particularly in tech, is also putting pressure on markets, especially in export-heavy Asian economies. On Market View on Money Matters, Alexandra Parada speaks to Carl Ashton, Investment Counselor, Citi Private Bank, to discuss more.

DBS Group Holdings expects to reduce its contract and temporary staff by around 4,000 over the next three years as AI increasingly takes on roles carried out by human beings. Elsewhere, global banks will cut as many as 200,000 jobs in the next three to five years as AI encroaches on tasks currently carried out by human workers, said a Bloomberg Intelligence (BI) report in January.  Still, many firms have stressed that the shift will result in roles being changed by technology, rather than replaced altogether.  But roles in the banking sector are set to be affected by the rise of AI? What AI trends can we expect to see in the next few years? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Professor Boh Wai Fong, Vice President (Lifelong Learning & Alumni Engagement) and President’s Chair in Information Systems at Nanyang Technological University’s Nanyang Business School.

With Singapore’s life expectancy at 83 years and rising costs of living, ensuring a financially secure retirement is becoming increasingly complex. Many Singaporeans prioritise family needs over personal savings, and traditional retirement planning may not be enough to support them through decades of retirement. Hence, Manulife Investment Management is launching a new customisable investment solution to address Singaporeans' evolving needs.  So how does this differ from traditional approaches? And why should we rethink our retirement planning?  On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Marc Franklin, Senior Portfolio Manager, Deputy Head of Multi-Asset Solutions, Asia, Manulife Investment Management, to find out more. 

PharLyfe+ is an innovative healthcare startup dedicated to transforming the way medication is delivered to patients. Founded by Dr. Tan Poh Leng and Associate Professor Chan Sui Yung, PharLyfe+ develops medicated oral films that offer a safer, simpler, and more sustainable alternative to traditional forms of medication such as pills, syrups, and injections. These films are designed to dissolve quickly in the mouth, delivering medication directly into the bloodstream for a rapid onset of action, while eliminating the need for additional devices like syringes or cups. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Dr Tan Poh Leng, CEO, PharLyfe+, and Associate Professor Chan Sui Yung, CTO, PharLyfe+, to find out more.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he would be willing to resign from his post in exchange for peace in Ukraine or NATO membership. Zelenskyy's comments come ahead of the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and amid rising tensions with US President Donald Trump. Will the Ukrainian president relinquish his position? What will that mean for Ukraine’s future with NATO and its long-term security?  On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Dr. Alexey Muraviev, Associate Professor of National Security and Strategic Studies at Curtin University to find out more.