Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

A S$52,188 monthly rental bid for a general practitioner clinic in a Tampines HDB estate has recently caught the attention of the public. In fact, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung took to social media to express his “dismay” by this news. Will high rents trickle down to patients?   In a Facebook post, Mr Ong reassured Singaporeans that bids for future HDB GP clinics will be assessed using a model that focuses less on price, and more on quality of care. So, what would that model look like? And, what kind of impact will we see on current bidding prices and property prices then? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong spoke with Edward Ti, Associate Professor of Law & Urban Fellow at the Singapore Management University, and Consultant at WongPartnership to find out.

Gold has dazzled investors with record-breaking highs in recent months—but is the glitter fading? Could we see the end of gold’s rally or just the calm before another climb? With global forces in flux and expert opinions sharply split, the future of gold is anything but clear. On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Alexandra Symeonidi, corporate credit analyst on William Blair’s emerging markets debt (EMD) team, to find out more.

Singapore shares inched higher to track broader gains in Asia today. The Straits Times Index went up by 0.18% to 3,910.72 points at about 2.15pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$703.63M seen in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have Thai Beverage, after the beer maker yesterday announced a US$2 billion multicurrency debt issuance programme.  The group said net proceeds from the programme will be used for “general corporate purposes” of the company.  Elsewhere, from a softer than expected US private-sector jobs report and what that means for global markets, to remarks made in the Federal Reserve’s closely watched “Beige Book” study – more international developments remain in focus. Also on deck – how Citigroup said today that it will cut the numbers of employees at two of its technology centres in China by about 3,500. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the details with David Chow, Director, Azure Capital. 

With 20 years in hospitality, fitness, wellness, and longevity, entrepreneur Allen Law has built a global legacy. Now, he leads Seveno Capital—a $70 million venture fund investing in businesses that extend human health span. This mission goes beyond wellness trends, focusing on boosting quality of life through tech and nature-driven innovation. Seveno’s first investment is in A Cabin Company, transforming vacant rural land into wellness retreats—with plans to expand across Japan, Korea, New York, and Europe. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Singapore-based healthspan entrepreneur Allen Law to explore his vision for the future of health.

Singapore stocks fell this morning as all eyes remained on the heightened trade tensions between US and China.  The Straits Times Index was down 0.31% at 3,882.17 points at 10.51am Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$318.86M seen in the broader market.  In terms of counters to watch today, we have CapitaLand Investment. That’s after the manager of CapitaLand Malaysia Trust, a CapitaLand Investment subsidiary, yesterday proposed a placement of up to 435.4 million new units to raise gross cash proceeds of up to RM250 million (S$75.8 million).  Meanwhile, from Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio posting a net loss of US$949.6 million for its first quarter of 2025 ended March, to how investors are reacting to higher US duties on steel and aluminium, more corporate and international headlines remain in focus.    On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Marcus Liew, Multi-Asset Solutions Portfolio Manager, Amundi Singapore. 

Starting July 1, Malaysia will begin enforcing regulations requiring all Singapore-registered vehicles entering the country to have a valid Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP). This move follows an eight-year delay since the VEP system was initially proposed in 2017, with implementation postponed twice — first in 2019, then again in 2020. As Malaysia’s VEP enforcement policy tightens, what does this mean for Singaporean motorists traveling into Malaysia?  On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Walter Theseira, Associate Professor of Economics at Singapore University of Social Sciences to find out more. 

The NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific at Marina Bay Sands Singapore runs from the 3rd to 5th of June 2025, with MONEY FM bringing you three LIVE “Under the Radar” conversations during this period.  Themed “Retail Unlimited”, NRF 2025 promises limitless possibilities in retail, from enhanced customer experiences to digital transformation strategies. It also aims to foster conversation among leaders in the global retail system, with representatives from over 25 retail associations worldwide in attendance.  In part three of this three part Under the Radar Specials series broadcast LIVE at NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian spoke with Jill Dvorak, Senior Vice President, Content, National Retail Federation (NRF) on the role of the NRF in shaping conversations in the APAC retail ecosystem and how this has been achieved through NRF 2025 in Singapore.  The duo also dived into key content tracks at the retail show, and what they mean for retailers. 

As global supply chains evolve beyond short-term fixes, Indonesia and Vietnam are emerging as hotbeds for manufacturing and logistics growth—set to surge by up to 20% in the next three years. Multinational companies are shifting gears, embracing a “China+N” strategy that prioritizes resilience and regional diversification. But what does this mean for industrial real estate in Southeast Asia? And what key factors will drive companies to plant deeper roots in these rapidly transforming markets? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks Christine Li, Head of Research, Asia-Pacific, Knight Frank, to find out more. 

No time to waste for the South Korean president. Just hours after being elected as the new president, Lee Jae Myung has been sworn in.  Mr Lee had won 49.42 per cent of the nearly 35 million votes cast while conservative rival Kim Moon-soo had taken 41.15 per cent in the polls But now he faces a daunting task - to unite a country where division and discontentment continue to rack up. Not only that, he now faces the challenge to revive the economy, reinforce the Seoul-Washington alliance, and attempt to build ties with neighbouring North Korea and China. So what’s his first order of business now?  On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Benjamin A. Engel, Assistant Professor, Department of Korean Studies, Dankook University, to find out more.

It hasn’t always been smooth sailing for Ikhsan and Ilhan Fandi - but in this candid conversation with Sports Minutes, the brothers speak openly about battling injuries, dealing with setbacks, and rediscovering confidence. And as they return to the Singapore setup, they reflect on their journeys abroad, how they've grown, and the fire that still burns strong. More than just football, this is a conversation of resilience, brotherhood, and unfinished business. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg