Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

There is arguably no higher recognition than the Michelin star in the Food and Beverage scene.  And the company we’re speaking to was once called the most affordable Michelin-starred restaurant chain in the world.  Make a guess, and perhaps think on the lines of dim sum and BBQ pork buns. Bingo if you’ve guessed Tim Ho Wan! Tim Ho Wan’s story can be traced back to 2009. That’s when Chef Mak Kwai Pui, who’s formerly from the prestigious three Michelin starred Lung King Heen restaurant in Hong Kong’s Four Seasons Hotel teamed up with Chef Leung Fai Keung to open a 20-seater dim sum restaurant in Mongkok.  The business thrived as people came for its hot steaming buns, chee cheong fun, and siew mai, and the restaurant earned one Michelin star just a year later.  The rest, as they say, is history, as more restaurants opened, with each earning its own Michelin star.  In 2013, Tim Ho Wan made its international debut by opening its restaurant at Plaza Singapura in Singapore, drawing long lines and widespread attention. The chain has since gone on to open more locations around the world, and boasts over 80 outlets globally.  But while Tim Ho Wan may be a household name, did you know that it is closely related to a fast food chain from the Philippines called Jollibee? In November 2024, Jollibee’s parent company, or Jollibee Food Corporation, announced the full acquisition of Tim Ho Wan, by paying S$20.2 million for an 8 per cent stake of the company held by other investors.  So how has the firm fared some six months after being a subsidiary of Jollibee Foods Corporation? How will the company ensure the quality of its menu items amid the change?  And how will being a part of the Jollibee ecosystem help the firm achieve its growth ambitions around the world? On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Yeong Sheng Lee, CEO, Tim Ho Wan International.

The AI boom is no longer just buzz—it's a money magnet. Big Tech is pouring billions into infrastructure, chipmakers are riding massive demand, and investors can’t get enough. But with stretched valuations and slowing capex growth on the horizon, is the smart money getting more selective? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Rahul Ghosh, Portfolio Specialist in the Equity Division at T. Rowe Price, to unpack where the AI market really stands, and what that means for the next phase of investing.

When we think about drug discovery, the words fast and efficient don’t usually come to mind - but a Singapore-based biotech startup is challenging that reality. Nanyang Biologics is harnessing the power of AI and an extensive library of tropical bioactives to accelerate how we discover new treatments, not just for humans, but for animals too. So how are they doing it? On the Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Giang Nyugen, Chief Technology Officer of Nanyang Biologics (NYB), to find out more.

3 out of 4 people in Singapore can’t tell a deepfake from the real thing, even though most are confident they can. That’s one of the eye-opening findings from the Cyber Security Agency’s latest survey, which also reveals that while more Singaporeans are adopting cyber hygiene habits like installing security apps and enabling two-factor authentication, many still struggle to spot phishing scams and feel uncertain about securing their smart home devices. With technology making it easier than ever to create eerily convincing fake videos, the risks of scams and misinformation are rising fast. How worried should we be about this gap between perception and reality? And how can individuals and authorities keep pace with these rapidly evolving threats? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Dr. Terence Sim, Associate Professor, NUS Centre for Trusted Internet and Community (CTIC), to find out.

Six years since retiring as Singapore’s most decorated para swimmer, Theresa Goh is back competing - only this time with a pistol. Why, and why now you ask? Tune in as she tell us all about her remarkable comeback, and the support that’s fuelling her second act. With one eye on the 2026 ASEAN Para Games and the Paralympics beyond, Theresa reflects on rediscovering purpose, rebuilding routine, and why starting over doesn’t mean starting from scratch. READ MORE:  Paralympic swimming medallist Theresa Goh makes sporting comeback with shooting Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg

The Straits Times Index (STI) briefly notched a new record of 4,008.15 points today as Singapore draws a rush of investors seeking safe havens from geopolitical risks.  This is the second time the benchmark index has crossed the 4,000 point threshold.  In terms of counters to watch, we have Yangzijiang Financial. The group released an update today that its proposed spin-off company Yangzijiang (YZJ) Maritime Development has been incorporated as a wholly owned subsidiary in Singapore.  Elsewhere, from how US President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” narrowly scraped through the Senate overnight, to how Intel’s new chief executive is reportedly exploring a big change to its contract manufacturing business – more international and corporate headlines remain in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Too Jun Cheong, Dealing Manager from Moomoo Singapore.

Thailand’s political landscape has been jolted once again. In a dramatic development, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been temporarily suspended from office by the Constitutional Court, less than a year into her tenure.  The decision comes as the court deliberates a petition filed by a group of senators, who accuse Paetongtarn of violating ethical standards — specifically over comments made in a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen.  Now, her leadership hangs in the balance amid mounting legal pressure and political tension. As the court begins its review, key questions remain: How will this suspension reshape Thailand’s political calculus? Is this a big blow to her less-than-a-year old government? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Purawich Watanasukh, Lecturer, Faculty of Political Science, Thammasat University, to find out more. 

South Korea’s manufacturing activity contracts for the fifth straight month, with the PMI inching up to 48.7 in June but still below the expansion threshold. Meanwhile, Japan’s manufacturing sector sees its first growth in over a year as output rises, yet ongoing uncertainty over US tariffs weighs on demand and exports. However, trade tensions escalate as US-Japan tariff talks face renewed challenges with fresh threats from Washington.  On the corporate front, City Developments expands its reach into Europe through a new hotel loyalty partnership, while semiconductor firm UMS Integration pursues a secondary listing on Bursa Malaysia amid sector volatility. On Market View, Alexandra Parada speaks to Dan Chang, Trading Representative at PhillipCapital, to discuss the latest market movements.

With the US dollar facing mounting pressure and volatility returning to FX markets, investors are recalibrating their currency strategies. What's driving the dollar's decline and how is it affecting major FX pairs—from the euro to the yen and yuan? But the shift isn’t limited to currencies. As gold takes a breather after record highs, lesser-followed precious metals like silver and platinum are beginning to shine. So what are these under-the-radar assets, spotlighting new trading opportunities in contracts that could be poised for breakout momentum? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Lim Jun Kit, Senior Strategist, Phillip Nova, to find out more. 

As the founder of GoRental, he’s already building the next generation of portable power: systems that are clean, scalable, and ready to go wherever the grid can’t. But GoRental is more than just smart hardware. What truly sets it apart is the bold vision driving it: to make reliable, sustainable energy accessible anywhere, anytime. So what's their story?  On the Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Colin Peh, Founder of GoRental, to find out more.