Jom presents: The Neighbourhood Boy

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Who exactly is Lawrence Wong, Singapore’s fourth prime minister? How did he rise to become the city-state’s first leader from a so-called “neighbourhood school” (rather than an elite one)? And what are the challenges Singapore and he will face in the coming years? Host Jean Hew seeks answers to these questions through interviews with his schoolmates, colleagues, and political competitors, as well as other Singaporeans. The Neighbourhood Boy is a four-episode series, premiering 7 August 2026, with a new episode every Friday. Presented by Jom, a weekly magazine about Singapore.

Episodes

  1. 1d ago

    4. Akan datang

    What does the General Election 2025 tell us about Lawrence the politician, and Lawrence, the leader? And what do the results mean for the future of the PAP, and Singapore? --- Annotated transcript available here. If you enjoyed the show, read “Lawrence’s stunning success”, our GE2025 analysis. And please support our work. It’s the only way we can stay independent and keep making podcasts. You’ll also get access to our full library of content from 2022. Do tag and follow us today on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Telegram, and/or TikTok. --- 00:00 Introduction 04:01 What political rallies feel like 08:01 The mood ahead of the vote 12:47 Lawrence’s stunning success 18:53 Lawrence’s political capital and agenda 27:34 What’s next for Lawrence and Singaporeans? --- “The Neighbourhood Boy” is a Jom podcast produced and hosted by Jean Hew, written by Sudhir Vadaketh and Jean Hew, with input from Abhishek Mehrotra. Edited by Artwave Studio, with original music by lowkeii. Illustration by Mirza Jaafar. Read the full show credits and acknowledgements here.

    4. Akan datang

  2. Aug 21

    3. Growth at what cost?

    Singapore’s remarkable economic success masks deep inequalities in what’s sometimes called a “first-world country with a third-world wage structure”. Related issues that Lawrence Wong will have to contend with are the public housing conundrum, as well as low fertility and high immigration. --- Annotated transcript available here. If you enjoyed the show, read “Lawrence’s stunning success”, our GE2025 analysis. And please support our work. It’s the only way we can stay independent and keep making podcasts. You’ll also get access to our full library of content from 2022. Do tag and follow us today on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Telegram, and/or TikTok. --- 00:00 The Singapore “miracle” 05:04 First-world country; third-world wage structure 10:58 Donald Low and Gillian Koh on addressing inequality 17:23 The great HDB conundrum 22:59 The 5 Cs, fertility, and immigration --- “The Neighbourhood Boy” is a Jom podcast produced and hosted by Jean Hew, written by Sudhir Vadaketh and Jean Hew, with input from Abhishek Mehrotra. Edited by Artwave Studio, with original music by lowkeii. Illustration by Mirza Jaafar. Read the full show credits and acknowledgements here.

    3. Growth at what cost?

  3. Aug 14

    2. Party games

    Ten years ago, many other men were ahead of Lawrence Wong in the race to become Singapore’s fourth prime minister. How did he pip them? --- Annotated transcript available here. If you enjoyed the show, read “Lawrence’s stunning success”, our GE2025 analysis. And please support our work. It’s the only way we can stay independent and keep making podcasts. You’ll also get access to our full library of content from 2022. Do tag and follow us today on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Telegram, and/or TikTok. --- 00:00 Introduction 02:12 Tharman and Heng Swee Keat 09:28 Chan Chun Sing and Ong Ye Kung 16:59 A pandemic star is born --- “The Neighbourhood Boy” is a Jom podcast produced and hosted by Jean Hew, written by Sudhir Vadaketh and Jean Hew, with input from Abhishek Mehrotra. Edited by Artwave Studio, with original music by lowkeii. Illustration by Mirza Jaafar. Read the full show credits and acknowledgements here.

    2. Party games

  4. Aug 4

    1. Ah boy to man

    Who exactly is Lawrence Wong? A schoolmate, grad school friend, colleague, political opponent, and subordinate help give us a sense of the man. Their stories depict his progress from “neighbourhood” school to ministerial office. --- Annotated transcript available here. If you enjoyed the show, read “Lawrence’s stunning success”, our GE2025 analysis. And please support our work. It’s the only way we can stay independent and keep making podcasts. You’ll also get access to our full library of content from 2022. Do tag and follow us today on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Telegram, and/or TikTok. --- 00:00 Introduction 05:43 Lawrence’s “neighbourhood” school days 12:46 Entering government, and the Asian Financial Crisis 18:56 Lawrence in politics --- “The Neighbourhood Boy” is a Jom podcast produced and hosted by Jean Hew, written by Sudhir Vadaketh and Jean Hew, with input from Abhishek Mehrotra. Edited by Artwave Studio, with original music by lowkeii. Illustration by Mirza Jaafar. Read the full show credits and acknowledgements here.

    1. Ah boy to man

  5. Aug 4

    Jom presents: The Neighbourhood Boy — Trailer

    Who exactly is Lawrence Wong, Singapore’s fourth prime minister? How did he rise to become the city-state’s first leader from a so-called “neighbourhood school” (rather than an elite one)? And what are the challenges Singapore and he will face in the coming years? Host Jean Hew seeks answers to these questions through interviews with his schoolmates, colleagues, and political competitors, as well as other Singaporeans. The Neighbourhood Boy is a four-episode series, premiering 7 August 2026, with a new episode every Friday. Presented by Jom, a weekly magazine about Singapore.

Trailer

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Who exactly is Lawrence Wong, Singapore’s fourth prime minister? How did he rise to become the city-state’s first leader from a so-called “neighbourhood school” (rather than an elite one)? And what are the challenges Singapore and he will face in the coming years? Host Jean Hew seeks answers to these questions through interviews with his schoolmates, colleagues, and political competitors, as well as other Singaporeans. The Neighbourhood Boy is a four-episode series, premiering 7 August 2026, with a new episode every Friday. Presented by Jom, a weekly magazine about Singapore.

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