Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

iMotorbike is Southeast Asia’s leading end-to-end e-commerce platform for buying, selling, and trading pre-owned motorcycles. Headquartered in Singapore with a growing presence in Malaysia and Vietnam, the platform is built to solve key pain points in the used motorcycle market from the lack of transparency and fragmented listings to time-consuming paperwork and unreliable transactions. Offering a fully digital and hassle-free experience, iMotorbike provides 170-point inspections, warranties, return policies, instant payment for sellers, and bundled services like financing, insurance, road tax, and nationwide delivery.  On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Gil Carmo, Co-Founder & CEO, iMotorbike, to find out more.

In a rare override of state authority, US President Trump has deployed 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles, despite strong objections from Governor Gavin Newsom. The deployment follows a series of federal immigration raids that resulted in 44 arrests in LA, part of a broader national campaign. Citing Title 10 of the U.S. Code, Trump framed the action as necessary to protect federal infrastructure and personnel. The move has triggered renewed scrutiny of executive power, state-federal tensions, and the appropriate use of military force in civil contexts. Was it justified—or a federal overstep? Is this law and order, or presidential overreach? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Dr Jessica Genauer, Senior Lecturer in International Relations, Flinders University to find out. 

Once reserved for institutional giants and the ultra-wealthy, alternative investments are fast becoming part of the broader investment landscape. As traditional 60/40 portfolios face mounting pressure and the hunt for yield intensifies, retail investors are turning to alternatives not just for diversification—but for sustained growth and income. Yet with opportunity comes complexity. Are individual investors prepared for the risks, illiquidity, and nuances that often define this asset class? Which alternative strategies are now truly accessible—and which remain out of reach? More importantly, is this surge in interest just a momentary shift, or the start of a fundamental rethinking of portfolio construction? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Gerald Gan, Deputy Chief Investment Officer at Reed Capital Partners, to find out more.

Singapore shares nudged higher today as all eyes remained on trade tensions between the US and China.  The Straits Times Index inched 0.11% higher to 3,938.78 points at 2.15pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$542.51M seen in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have OCBC, because the bank has made a S$900 million conditional exit offer at S$30.15 per share for the 6.28 per cent stake in Great Eastern it does not own, in a bid to delist the insurer.  Elsewhere, from Asian market movements given hopes of easing trade tensions between the US and China, to Japan confirming that the country’s economy contracted in the first quarter, more international headlines remain in focus.   On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments of the day.

When a startup founder, defense strategist, FMCG operator, and social worker team up, they don’t form your average nonprofit. They form Antica—a foundation reinventing how Singapore addresses aging and reintegration. At the helm is Dixon Lim, a former founder now running Antica with the hustle of a Series A startup. In months, they’ve launched Project GUARDIAN – passive tech to prevent falls in senior homes and Project SECOND WINGS – reintegrating ex-offenders into real community jobs. Their mantra? Move fast, build smart, and don’t wait for permission. With aging populations and rising complexity, Antica poses a radical question: What if nonprofits scaled like startups? On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Dixon Lim, Executive Director of Antica to find out more. 

Buoyed by a big win against Maldives, next up for Singapore is Bangladesh in the Asian Cup Qualifiers. And ahead of the duel in Dhaka, Sports Minutes heads into the Lions den to check in with Song Ui-Young. From returning after a year's absence due to personal reasons, to a budding midfield partnership with Kyoga Nakamura - it’s all building up to a pivotal 90 minutes that could define Singapore’s qualification hopes on the road to Riyadh. READ MORE: Song Ui-young gets Lions recall after year-long absence due to family matters Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg

In a meritocratic society like Singapore, transparency should be a step in the right direction in terms of fairness.  However, Singaporean culture often values discretion and harmony. Even though it’s not illegal to share your salary, many still see it as taboo or risky in professional settings. What happens when we aim to push for openness in a system built on personal performance, quiet ambition, and competitive advantage? Would it spark resentment, conflict, or even drive talent away? On The Hot Seat, Hongbing Jeong speaks to Fermin Diez, Adjunct Professor at SMU; and co-author of three books: ‘Human Capital and Global Business Strategy’, ‘The Remuneration Handbook: International Edition’ and ‘Fundamentals of HR Analytics', and Adrian Choo, CEO and Founder of Career Agility to find out if wage transparency should be the norm.

Singapore shares moved higher today as regional bourses traded mixed. The Straits Times Index was up 0.27% at 3,928.29 points at 2.31pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$668.89M seen in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch today, we have OCBC. That’s given how the bank’s insurer, Great Eastern, is seeking to delist through OCBC’s exit offer of S$30.15 per share.  Elsewhere, from optimism arising from what’s described as “very positive” talks between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, to the stunning public row between Trump and Tesla’s chief Elon Musk – more international and corporate headlines remain in focus.  On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Sunny Soh, Lead Technical Analyst (Capital Markets & Investor Education), SIAS.

The REIT sector is entering a pivotal phase. Shaped by shifting economic conditions, evolving investor expectations, and rapid technological disruption, the landscape is being redefined in real time.  As volatility becomes the norm rather than the exception, investors are being forced to rethink how they approach real estate exposure.  What risks are worth taking in this new environment?  And how can investors position themselves to stay both agile and resilient amid so much uncertainty? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Joseph Ong, Co-Founder and Executive Director at Euro Asia Asset Management, to find out more.

Happie is a Singapore-based water purification brand dedicated to making clean, healthy water effortlessly accessible in every home. Founded with a mission to simplify hydration, Happie designs sleek, tankless water purifiers and filtration systems that combine cutting-edge technology with user-centric features by delivering hot, cold, or room-temperature water at just one touch. It was also inspired by premium Korean innovation and tailored to the needs of modern households, Happie offers a product lineup that includes countertop purifiers, under-sink filtration systems, antioxidant alkaline filters, and its signature Vitamin C shower filter. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Benjamin Ling, Founder & CEO, Happie, to find out more.