Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong

In this “On the Go” Specials of “Under the Radar”, Money Matter’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian checks in with the OpenAI team to follow up on their new GPT-5 model.  The model promises state-of-the-art performance across coding, math, writing assistance, health advice, visual perception and more.  Touted as a unified system that knows how to respond quickly and when to think longer to provide expert-level responses, GPT-5 is also said to be more natural and thoughtful, with fewer hallucinations.  In all, OpenAI’s Co-founder and CEO Sam Altman described the latest version “clearly a model that is generally intelligent”.  Users though, had their doubts. Some in an article by Mint said answers by the new model are shorter, while others claimed the new model had less of a personality.    Altman and his GPT-5 team addressed some of the criticisms surrounding the model in a Reddit “Ask me Anything” session, including a notorious “chart crime”. To this end, Altman said a router function in GPT-5 was not working as it should, and that the model will appear smarter soon.  Still, the company remained bullish on the business. Speaking to CNBC on Friday, Altman emphasised that OpenAI should prioritise growth and investments, even if that meant a longer timeline towards the breakeven point.  But how far will GPT-5 reshape the firm’s growth trajectory? And how does the firm intend to navigate challenges regarding performance and pricing? Meanwhile, the release of GPT-5 comes at a crucial time for the industry, where Magnificent Seven tech firms ranging from Alphabet to Meta, Amazon and Microsoft ramp up capital expenditures on AI data centres dramatically.  Per a Reuters report, the four players are expected to spend a total of close to US$400 billion this fiscal year. But where does OpenAI see its place in a market that is heating up, and how far will Asia be the next battleground for AI innovation and adoption? Tian Tian posed these questions to Oliver Jay, Managing Director, International, OpenAI.

Asia's growth engines are powering ahead, but can they stay on track as Trump ramps up tariffs across the region? With global volatility rising and economic fault lines deepening, we ask: is Asia ready for what’s coming next? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Christiaan Tuntono, Senior Economist for Asia Pacific at Allianz Global Investors, to find out more.

Two days, two seismic moves in Singapore’s telco world. First, Keppel agrees to sell M1’s telecom arm to rival Simba for $1.43 billion, the first major consolidation since liberalization shook up the market and drove prices down. Then, barely 24 hours later, StarHub snaps up full control of MyRepublic Broadband, taking over its brand and assets. What’s fuelling this sudden wave of deals? Is this just the beginning of a bigger shake-up and what will it mean for you, the consumer? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Professor Lawrence Loh is Director, Centre for Governance and Sustainability at the National University of Singapore Business School, to find out more.

OtterHalf is a fractional marketing agency based in Singapore, created to be the ‘other half’ that growing tech companies need to scale smartly, sustainably, and with heart. They specialize in working with B2B2C and DTC tech brands, guiding them from post-product-market fit through to Series B and beyond. Whether you’re missing a full marketing team or just need extra firepower for key initiatives, they step in as your flexible, experienced partner. Their name is a playful twist on ‘Other Half,’ and it reflects everything we believe in: partnership, creativity, and a bit of fun, and that spirit comes to life through Ottie, their wide-eyed otter mascot who reminds us that even serious strategy can be joyfully executed. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Cassandra Ong, Founder & CEO, OtterHalf, to find out more.

Singapore shares dipped today despite Asian markets trading mostly in the green. The Straits Times Index was down 0.22% at 4,223.52 points at 2.31pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$891.19M seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have StarHub, after the telco today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary StarHub Online has acquired the remaining 49.9 per cent stake in MyRepublic’s broadband business that it did not already own.  Elsewhere, from how the US and China extended a tariff truce for another 90 days to how China has reportedly urged local companies to avoid using Nvidia’s H20 processors, particularly for government-related purposes – more international and corporate headlines remained in focus.  Also on deck, a look at the latest monetary policy decision by the Reserve Bank of Australia. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Kelvin Wong, Senior Analyst, OANDA.

In a move that's shaking up the luxury watch world, the US has slapped a hefty 39% tariff on imported Swiss watches, sending ripples through both retail and resale markets. From Rolex to Omega, collectors and investors alike are scrambling to assess what this means for prices, demand, and long-term value. So, what does this seismic policy shift really mean for the watch market? And could it open unexpected doors for investors? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Joses Ng, Executive Director, Watch Capital, to find out more.

Singapore turned 60 over the weekend – and what a celebration it was.  From the packed stands at the Padang to the sea of red and white across the heartlands, the National Day Parade 2025 was nothing short of spectacular.  But just how big were the festivities this year? How did the crowd turnouts and atmosphere compare to previous years? And what moments truly stood out?  On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong takes a look back at the highlights of SG60 with Angelica Ang, reporter for the Straits Times.

Blue Whale is one of Europe’s leading apple producers, bringing together over 300 growers across France to cultivate high-quality fruit with a strong focus on innovation, sustainability, and consumer satisfaction. With decades of expertise and a commitment to meeting evolving market needs, Blue Whale has expanded its reach across Asia, offering apple varieties like Candine that are not only delicious and convenient but also built for modern lifestyles. Whether it's through eco-friendly packaging or advanced farming techniques, Blue Whale continues to set the standard for what fresh produce can be. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Ben Barache, Marketing Manager Asia, Blue Whale, to find out more.

Son Heung-Min’s move from Tottenham to LAFC for a record fee closes one chapter and opens another. On Sports Minutes, journalist Steve Price joins us from Seoul to explore Son’s Premier League legacy, his immense popularity in Korea and the world over, and the marketing and footballing impact he’ll bring to MLS. Plus, two Spurs fans share heartfelt tributes to a player who inspired them far beyond the pitch. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg

Singapore shares fell today as investors continue to parse through more earnings and corporate developments out of the country. The Straits Times Index was down 0.15% at 4,233.66 points at 12.23pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$700.74M seen in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have Keppel, after the group announced today its proposed divestment of M1’s telecommunications business to Simba Telecom for an enterprise value of around S$1.4 billion.  Elsewhere, from how Nvidia and AMD have reportedly agreed to give the US government 15 per cent of revenue from sales of advanced computer chips to China, to what to watch ahead of the US-China trade truce deadline – more corporate and international news remain in focus.   On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Chin Hui Leong, Co-founder, The Smart Investor.