Legislation

Sharpening the News Nose: Why ST’s “What’s The News? 2026” Matters for Our Political Discourse I’ve been covering politics for over 15 years, and in that time, I’ve seen the ebb and flow of public engagement with the news. We live in an era of information overload, where discerning fact from fiction, and understanding the why behind government policy, can feel like an Olympic sport. This is why initiatives like The Straits Times’ “What’s The News? 2026” competition are not just welcome; they are, frankly, essential for a healthy democracy. ...

When the Millennial Parent Whisperer Meets Political Reality: Screen Time, Resilience, and the State You know, after 15 years covering the intricate dance of parliaments and policy debates, you start to see political threads in almost every aspect of life. Just when I thought I’d heard every angle on everything from budget deficits to geopolitical tensions, a new kind of “whisperer” emerges: Dr. Becky Kennedy, the clinical psychologist turned millennial parenting guru. Her recent observations about screen time and children’s ability to tolerate difficult situations, and the widespread sentiment that “parenting is the hardest job ever,” might seem far removed from the political news cycle. But to me, they immediately spark a deeper political analysis of modern governance, government policy, and societal well-being. ...

The Unseen Policy Arena: Why I’m Not Taking Leave for My Daughter’s PSLE As a political journalist who’s spent over 15 years dissecting the intricacies of government policy and the shifting sands of the political landscape, I find myself navigating a surprisingly analogous arena – the preparation for my daughter’s Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE). The recent educational reforms, aiming to dial down the intensity surrounding this crucial milestone, are a welcome development. Yet, watching my daughter prepare, I’m struck by the enduring difficulty for parents to truly “let go,” a sentiment that resonates deeply with my understanding of political discourse and public policy implementation. ...

More Slots for Thaipusam Devotees: A Microcosm of Governance and Community Engagement By Michael Zhang, Political Journalist It’s easy to get lost in the grand narratives of international diplomacy, upcoming elections, or sweeping legislative reforms. But sometimes, the most insightful glimpses into governance and community relations come from seemingly smaller policy adjustments. The recent announcement of “more slots for Thaipusam devotees as registration reopens till Jan 31” for the upcoming February 1st observances at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple in Singapore is one such instance. After 15 years covering politics, I’ve learned to pay attention to these details; they often reveal a great deal about how policies are shaped, how governments respond to community needs, and the delicate dance between regulation and tradition. ...

Anchorpoint Mall’s Sale: A Microcosm of Shifting Political and Economic Tides It’s not often a suburban mall sale makes headlines that resonate with political analysis, but the news of Anchorpoint mall on Alexandra Road going up for sale at a $295 million guide price has certainly caught my attention. In my 15+ years covering politics and policy, I’ve learned to look for the deeper currents beneath seemingly straightforward economic transactions. This sale, framed by CBRE as a reflection of demand for high-yield, stable retail assets in the suburbs, actually taps into a fascinating interplay of government policy, consumer behaviour, and regional economic trends that are worth unpacking. ...

SkillsFuture Funding Overhaul: A Deep Dive into Policy and Politics It’s no secret that the political landscape in Singapore, much like anywhere else, is a constant ebb and flow of policy adjustments. For over 15 years, I’ve been covering the intricate dance of government policy, and one recurring theme is the government’s commitment to adapting and refining its initiatives. The recent announcement from the SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) agency on January 27th – tightening course funding guidelines for a substantial number of courses and providers – is a prime example of this evolutionary approach to governance. This isn’t just a bureaucratic reshuffle; it’s a policy shift with significant political undertones and far-reaching implications for individuals, training providers, and the broader economic strategy. ...

The Electric Charge in Singapore: BYD’s Surge and the Shifting Political Currents By Michael Zhang, Political Journalist It’s always fascinating, isn’t it, how a single market trend can ripple outwards and reveal so much about underlying political and policy frameworks? I’ve been covering politics and policy for over 15 years, and the news out of Singapore about BYD – the Chinese auto giant – selling over a fifth of all new cars in 2025, as EV sales hit a record high, certainly caught my eye. This isn’t just a story about faster charging and quieter commutes; it’s a potent indicator of evolving government policy, geopolitical influences, and consumer sentiment, all playing out on the grand stage of political economy in the Asia Pacific. ...

Alright, let’s dive into this. Michael Zhang here, and I’ve been tracking the ebb and flow of politics and policy across Asia for a good fifteen years now. It’s not just about numbers and statistics; it’s about what those numbers mean for governance, for regional dynamics, and ultimately, for the people living within these complex political landscapes. The latest figures from Changi Airport, while seemingly a straightforward aviation report, offer a surprisingly rich vein of political and policy insights, especially when we look beyond the tarmac and into the machinations of government. ...

Decoding 2026: A Political Lens on Fashion’s Cyclical Return You know, covering politics for over 15 years, you start to see patterns emerge. Not just in voting blocs or legislative maneuvers, but in broader societal shifts. It’s fascinating how history, in its many forms, tends to echo. I’ve been deep in policy analysis and political commentary, dissecting everything from trade agreements to electoral reforms, and a curious parallel has been dawning on me recently: the world of fashion, much like political trends, is surprisingly cyclical. ...

Changi’s Driverless Future: A Glimpse into the Politics of Automation It’s not every day that an airport deployment makes me pause and think about the broader political landscape. But Changi Airport’s recent trial and planned rollout of driverless baggage tractors between Terminals 1 and 4, with more coming to Terminal 2 by 2026, is one of those moments. As someone who’s spent over 15 years covering politics and dissecting policy, I see these technological leaps not just as operational upgrades, but as harbingers of shifts in governance, labour, and international competitiveness. ...