CNA Insider 2019

Visual stories with an Asian perspective from features on people to investigative journalism.

Too much salted egg yolk?
2 mins

Salted egg yolk chips, fish skin, indomie, sauce over fries and chicken cutlets, croissants, cookies, bubble tea and even ice-cream? Singaporeans love salted egg yolk so much that we imported 3,300 tonnes of it in 2018 - a 13.8% increase from 2014.

Too much salted egg yolk?

Salted egg yolk chips, fish skin, indomie, sauce over fries and chicken cutlets, croissants, cookies, bubble tea and even ice-cream? Singaporeans love salted egg yolk so much that we imported 3,300 tonnes of it in 2018 - a 13.8% increase from 2014.

Riding the MRT at 5
6 mins

While helicopter parenting may be resulting from Singapore families choosing to have fewer kids, mum Serena Ong and dad Kai Keong are challenging their 5-year-old son, Nathanael, to be more independent. He is tasked to take his dad’s laptop from their home in Simei to dad’s office in Marina One all by himself.

Riding the MRT at 5

While helicopter parenting may be resulting from Singapore families choosing to have fewer kids, mum Serena Ong and dad Kai Keong are challenging their 5-year-old son, Nathanael, to be more independent. He is tasked to take his dad’s laptop from their home in Simei to dad’s office in Marina One all by himself.

How I survived the Indonesia tsunami but lost my family
8 mins

On December 22, 2018, following the eruption of Anak Krakatau volcano, a tsunami engulfed a concert by pop band Seventeen and the audience at Tanjung Lesong resort in western Java, Indonesia. Among them was Willy Siska, an employee of Perusahaan istrik Negara (PLN) who was there with his wife and two children for a year-end company party. Dragged out 2km to sea, he found himself fighting to survive in the roiling waves alongside Seventeen lead si

How I survived the Indonesia tsunami but lost my family

On December 22, 2018, following the eruption of Anak Krakatau volcano, a tsunami engulfed a concert by pop band Seventeen and the audience at Tanjung Lesong resort in western Java, Indonesia. Among them was Willy Siska, an employee of Perusahaan istrik Negara (PLN) who was there with his wife and two children for a year-end company party. Dragged out 2km to sea, he found himself fighting to survive in the roiling waves alongside Seventeen lead si

3 ways China uses facial recognition
3 mins

Even as Facebook’s #10yearchallenge sparks concerns that the social media giant is mining data for facial recognition AI, China’s facial recognition systems are already a reality in everyday life. #WhyItMatters host Joshua Lim finds out how public restrooms use it to prevent people from taking too much toilet paper; and how jaywalkers are identified, then publicly shamed on a digital billboard. 

3 ways China uses facial recognition

Even as Facebook’s #10yearchallenge sparks concerns that the social media giant is mining data for facial recognition AI, China’s facial recognition systems are already a reality in everyday life. #WhyItMatters host Joshua Lim finds out how public restrooms use it to prevent people from taking too much toilet paper; and how jaywalkers are identified, then publicly shamed on a digital billboard. 

A thriving Singapore - even before Stamford Raffles
4 mins

We've been taught that Sir Stamford Raffles founded Singapore in 1819. But what was life in Singapore like before the colonial era?

A thriving Singapore - even before Stamford Raffles

We've been taught that Sir Stamford Raffles founded Singapore in 1819. But what was life in Singapore like before the colonial era?

A most unusual kitchen
5 mins

Deep-fried hot dogs and chicken nuggets – that's what nursing home residents were served. Until Ang Kian Peng who leads Soup Restaurant Group’s corporate social responsibility came up with the idea to serve them homecooked-style meals... prepared by prison inmates and folks with disabilities.

A most unusual kitchen

Deep-fried hot dogs and chicken nuggets – that's what nursing home residents were served. Until Ang Kian Peng who leads Soup Restaurant Group’s corporate social responsibility came up with the idea to serve them homecooked-style meals... prepared by prison inmates and folks with disabilities.

Risky jobs: The guys who hang off high-rise buildings
5 mins

Fear - what a rope access technician has to live with, every time he goes over the edge. Meet the guys who take risks to keep our high rises looking good.

Risky jobs: The guys who hang off high-rise buildings

Fear - what a rope access technician has to live with, every time he goes over the edge. Meet the guys who take risks to keep our high rises looking good.

Made by Humans or AI?
2 mins

Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is now creating art and making music. Would art-lovers be able to tell the difference between AI-created and man-made art? Would they feel different knowing that their favourite piece was made by an algorithm?

Made by Humans or AI?

Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is now creating art and making music. Would art-lovers be able to tell the difference between AI-created and man-made art? Would they feel different knowing that their favourite piece was made by an algorithm?

China's 600 million electronic eyes
4 mins

China’s government has plans to be able to identify any of its 1.4 billion citizens within 3 seconds - via cameras with facial recognition technology. Why It Matters puts the tech to the test.

China's 600 million electronic eyes

China’s government has plans to be able to identify any of its 1.4 billion citizens within 3 seconds - via cameras with facial recognition technology. Why It Matters puts the tech to the test.

Ninja, the farmhand
5 mins

He's just 3 - but Ninja is braving his fears to work on his family's frog farm all by himself. How many Singapore kids you know would do this?

Ninja, the farmhand

He's just 3 - but Ninja is braving his fears to work on his family's frog farm all by himself. How many Singapore kids you know would do this?

EDB forecasts 'sustained' investments of up to S$10 billion in 2019
6 mins

Despite significant uncertainties in the year ahead, investment commitments in Singapore are expected to be sustained at 2018 levels, the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) said on Thursday (Feb 14). EDB also identified mobility as a potential growth area for 2019. Eugenia Lim and Elizabeth Neo with the story.

EDB forecasts 'sustained' investments of up to S$10 billion in 2019

Despite significant uncertainties in the year ahead, investment commitments in Singapore are expected to be sustained at 2018 levels, the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) said on Thursday (Feb 14). EDB also identified mobility as a potential growth area for 2019. Eugenia Lim and Elizabeth Neo with the story.

Hype about medical cannabis: Bunkum?
8 mins

With Thailand becoming the first country in Southeast Asia to legalise medical marijuana, and Malaysia and Philippines considering the same, will more countries follow? Singapore's Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam says that the power of money and propaganda wielded by pharmaceutical companies is behind the move towards accepting cannabis for medical use.

Hype about medical cannabis: Bunkum?

With Thailand becoming the first country in Southeast Asia to legalise medical marijuana, and Malaysia and Philippines considering the same, will more countries follow? Singapore's Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam says that the power of money and propaganda wielded by pharmaceutical companies is behind the move towards accepting cannabis for medical use.

Risky jobs: Diving into danger to care for ships
4 mins

Decompression sickness, being swept away by currents, drowning. A commercial diver takes such risks every time he goes into the deep blue, to keep the sea trade which Singapore relies on in ship-shape.

Risky jobs: Diving into danger to care for ships

Decompression sickness, being swept away by currents, drowning. A commercial diver takes such risks every time he goes into the deep blue, to keep the sea trade which Singapore relies on in ship-shape.

Inside Thailand’s first legalised cannabis plantation
5 mins

Thailand has become the first country in Southeast Asia to legalise the use of cannabis for medical purposes, and countries like Philippines and Malaysia are considering the same. Insight looks at whether the tide of opinion on cannabis is turning, and what the recent trends mean for Singapore where carrying and transporting of drugs still result in the death penalty.

Inside Thailand’s first legalised cannabis plantation

Thailand has become the first country in Southeast Asia to legalise the use of cannabis for medical purposes, and countries like Philippines and Malaysia are considering the same. Insight looks at whether the tide of opinion on cannabis is turning, and what the recent trends mean for Singapore where carrying and transporting of drugs still result in the death penalty.

The wasted treasure in e-waste, and why it's tricky to recycle
4 mins

Singaporeans throw out 120kg of used electronics a minute – throwing away some of the world’s scarcest minerals like gold and palladium present in our smartphones. A look at the challenges involved at 1 of the 4 phone battery recycling plants in the world in South Korea; and another plant that dismantles over 150 different TV models for minerals.

The wasted treasure in e-waste, and why it's tricky to recycle

Singaporeans throw out 120kg of used electronics a minute – throwing away some of the world’s scarcest minerals like gold and palladium present in our smartphones. A look at the challenges involved at 1 of the 4 phone battery recycling plants in the world in South Korea; and another plant that dismantles over 150 different TV models for minerals.

Is military service worth it? Taiwan youth asks
3 mins

Taiwan's armed forces is phasing out national service, and is planning to replace conscription with an all-volunteer military system. Of concern is not just the growing military imbalance with mainland China - where President Xi Jinping refuses to rule out the use of force against separatists - but also how young Taiwanese aren't keen on military service.

Is military service worth it? Taiwan youth asks

Taiwan's armed forces is phasing out national service, and is planning to replace conscription with an all-volunteer military system. Of concern is not just the growing military imbalance with mainland China - where President Xi Jinping refuses to rule out the use of force against separatists - but also how young Taiwanese aren't keen on military service.

Money colours pragmatic taiwanese views of Mainland China
6 mins

Kaohsiung's new mayor, Kuomintang's (KMT) Han Kyo-Yu, may not talk ideals. Perhaps you may think he's vulgar, talking about money every day. But to farmers, it is all that matters - whether we can make a living. Meanwhile, the Kinmen islands - just 5km from Xiamen, but under Taipei's control - are booming from Chinese tourism.

Money colours pragmatic taiwanese views of Mainland China

Kaohsiung's new mayor, Kuomintang's (KMT) Han Kyo-Yu, may not talk ideals. Perhaps you may think he's vulgar, talking about money every day. But to farmers, it is all that matters - whether we can make a living. Meanwhile, the Kinmen islands - just 5km from Xiamen, but under Taipei's control - are booming from Chinese tourism.

Safer bus drivers
3 mins

When bus drivers doze off or get distracted, tragic accidents occur. This tech, piloted in Shenzhen, could eliminate that danger for good.

Safer bus drivers

When bus drivers doze off or get distracted, tragic accidents occur. This tech, piloted in Shenzhen, could eliminate that danger for good.

Greed and India's healthcare crisis
4 mins

The failure of India's public healthcare system has spurred a network of unregistered private hospitals, and even ambulance drivers poaching patients from the doorsteps of government hospitals. Get Real goes undercover.

Greed and India's healthcare crisis

The failure of India's public healthcare system has spurred a network of unregistered private hospitals, and even ambulance drivers poaching patients from the doorsteps of government hospitals. Get Real goes undercover.

Conversation with Tan Twan Eng
4 mins

Tan Twan Eng is one of Malaysia’s most successful authors. The former lawyer turned novelist won the prestigious Man Asian Literary Award for his novel, The Garden of Evening Mists, which is being adapted into a film for HBO. He talks to host Lin Xueling about why he refuses to explain terms like laksa in his books.

Conversation with Tan Twan Eng

Tan Twan Eng is one of Malaysia’s most successful authors. The former lawyer turned novelist won the prestigious Man Asian Literary Award for his novel, The Garden of Evening Mists, which is being adapted into a film for HBO. He talks to host Lin Xueling about why he refuses to explain terms like laksa in his books.

Trump is being a bully on China: Conversation With Mari Pangestu
3 mins

Indonesia’s former Trade Minister, Mari Pangestu says Trump’s unilateral way of dealing with China is “bullying”.

Trump is being a bully on China: Conversation With Mari Pangestu

Indonesia’s former Trade Minister, Mari Pangestu says Trump’s unilateral way of dealing with China is “bullying”.

How HDB lifts are maintained
3 mins

What it takes to maintain an older-generation HDB lift that's been running for over 20 years. Not easy work. Watch the full On The Red Dot episode here. Read more here.

How HDB lifts are maintained

What it takes to maintain an older-generation HDB lift that's been running for over 20 years. Not easy work. Watch the full On The Red Dot episode here. Read more here.

Singapore's future homes?
8 mins

Could your future BTO flat be on a float at sea - or suspended over a canal? Novel living spaces are being created in other land-scarce cities. But which would work in Singapore?

Singapore's future homes?

Could your future BTO flat be on a float at sea - or suspended over a canal? Novel living spaces are being created in other land-scarce cities. But which would work in Singapore?

Breaking up prison fights with AI
2 mins

Prison fights are uncommon in Singapore, but when it happens, the Singapore Prison Service hopes to break up fights faster with the help of an artificial intelligence-powered human behaviour detection system.

Breaking up prison fights with AI

Prison fights are uncommon in Singapore, but when it happens, the Singapore Prison Service hopes to break up fights faster with the help of an artificial intelligence-powered human behaviour detection system.

Additional Information

Premiered2019
Genrescurrent affairs
Parental guidance advised for young children