Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

When change happens behind the scenes and silence follows online, speculation fills the void. So with Hougang United in flux, Sports Minutes sits down with Panarai “Otto” Pansiri and Walid Lounis to separate fact from fiction. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg

US President Donald Trump is rolling out his latest global gambit: the “Board of Peace.” With an eye-popping $1 billion price tag for permanent seats and an invitation-only model, the initiative is already raising eyebrows. Is it a genuine attempt to stabilize conflict zones like Gaza, or a bold move to sideline the United Nations and reshape global governance? Who stands to gain, and who might be left out? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Amin Saikal, Adjunct Senior Fellow at S.Rajaratnam School of International Studies, NTU, to find out more. We explore what this $1B experiment could mean for diplomacy, global power, and the future of international institutions, and why countries like Singapore are reportedly still weighing whether to join.

One episode. Two very different takes on family. On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong is joined with Sports Minutes host Ziaul Raushan to dive into family drama and family goals. They discuss the recent Beckham family feud, from wedding snubs to social media blockings, before turning to a far more uplifting story: an 81-year-old grandmother who became a Minecraft streamer to support her grandson, and in the process captured hearts around the world.

All eyes are on Japan’s yen.  The currency has been sliding to levels we haven’t seen in almost two years, edging close to the 160 mark against the US dollar. That’s putting policymakers on alert, with warnings about sharp, one-way moves and what they could mean for the wider economy. So what’s behind this sustained weakness in the yen? And if the slide continues, how might it affect Japan, and ripple through global markets? To unpack this, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Peter Chia, Senior FX Strategist at UOB, on Wealth Tracker.

Singapore shares inched higher today, tracking a positive session seen on Wall Street overnight. The Straits Times Index was up 0.44% at 4,830.89 points at 11.48am Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$853.16M seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have Info-Tech Systems, after the software provider said yesterday that it expects to report a “considerable increase” in its consolidated net profit for FY2025, compared with the full-year ended Dec 31, 2024.  Elsewhere, from how US President Donald Trump retreated from using threats of force as an option for acquiring Greenland and what that means for markets, to how South Korea’s stock benchmark topped 5,000 points for the first time, more international headlines remained in focus. Also on deck, Toku’s IPO on the Singapore Exchange, and Netflix’s offer to buy Warner Bros. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the details with David Chow, Director, Azure Capital.

What does it take to protect wealth in a world where markets can swing overnight and geopolitical tensions can upend investment strategies? And when the next generation inherits not just assets but responsibility, are they truly ready? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Sujano Supianto, High Net Worth Financial Services Director, SJ Group to explore how HNW and UHNW families are rethinking wealth for volatile times, shifting from a focus on growth alone to strategies that prioritize resilience, optionality, and downside protection. From portfolio adjustments to trusts, and even passing on values alongside capital, the rules are changing.

From forced 7am runs with your boss to the quiet reality of friendship in Singapore, Hongbin Jeong and Nadiah Koh break it all down on What's Trending. We start in China, where “business running” is taking off in major cities. Office workers are now jogging with colleagues and even clients as a new way to bond, network and build trust. Supporters say it boosts productivity and cooperation. Critics say it blurs work-life boundaries. Then, we bring the conversation home. A new study finds that 1 in 10 Singaporeans does not have any close friendships. And increasingly, some are even turning to AI chatbots for casual conversation or emotional support. So what does all this say about how we connect today? Are work and personal boundaries eroding?

Singapore shares dipped today as investors continue to monitor developments on the global trade front. The Straits Times Index was down 0.37% at 4,810.28 points at 2.24pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$923.01M seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch for today, we have Frasers Logistics and Centrepoint Trust, after the manager of the trust said it will hold an annual general meeting on Jan 26, 2026, to respond to recent queries from unitholders. Elsewhere, from how a “Sell America” trade gripped markets on Wall Street overnight amid escalating trade tensions between the US and Europe over the issue of  Greenland, to how Nvidia’s CEO Jensen Huang is reportedly planning to travel to China as he works to reopen the market for his company’s AI chips, more international and corporate headlines remained in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Jeremy Tan, CEO, Tiger Fund Management.

In a season crying out for change, the Young Lions have doubled down on experience...again. Veterans Izwan Mahbud and Abdil Qaiyyim have been drafted in by Coach Firdaus Kassim, to guide a youthful squad on and off the pitch. And with nearly 200 league appearances under his belt, 'Abang Abdil' joins Sports Minutes to talk leadership, responsibility, and fixing a fragile back line. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg

The Workers’ Party has rejected Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s invitation to nominate another elected MP to the position of Leader of the Opposition (LO), adding that it takes the view that the leader of the largest opposition party in Parliament is the leader of the opposition. At the same time, a three-member disciplinary panel made up of senior Workers’ Party figures has been convened to review Pritam Singh’s conviction and removal as Leader of the Opposition. What powers does this panel have, what outcomes are on the table, and how might its decision reshape the party’s leadership and internal dynamics? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong goes beyond the headlines with Dr Felix Tan, Independent Political Observer, for more analysis.