Is there such a thing as too many shopping malls or books?

Hello.

With the weekend upon us, it’s a chance for many to kick back and recover from a hectic work week.

Going to the shopping mall may be one of Singapore’s national pastimes, but is there such a thing as too many malls? The imminent closure of Jurong East mall JCube could be due to its “cookie-cutter” retail offerings, says NUS Business School professor Sing Tien Foo.

Some of us would likely have experienced slip ups when using digital payment apps for our purchases, be it sending the wrong amount of money or paying the wrong recipient. We should blame app design, not ourselves, says R/GA’s Joschka Wolf.

For those whose idea of a perfect weekend is to curl up on the sofa with a good book, the news that online store Book Depository will shut later this month might still hurt. Book lover Adrian Choo says he wasn’t entirely surprised by its demise.

In international news, tensions across the Taiwan Strait remain high, days after Beijing conducted military drills in response to Taiwanese leader Tsai Ing-wen’s meeting with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in the US. Notably, French President Emmanuel Macron’s comments on Taiwan may have drawn flak in Europe and US and praise in China, but analysts think they remain consistent with Europe’s position.

We hope you enjoy our selection of commentaries this week.

Charlene Tan

Editor, Commentary

Ever sent money to the wrong person? Here’s why you’re not to blame

Given the importance of day-to-day digital transactions, there may be opportunities for e-payment apps to better understand human behaviour and prevent slips, says R/GA’s Joschka Wolf.

Is now the right time for seniors to cash out their HDB nest eggs with the Lease Buyback Scheme?

With HDB resale values climbing significantly in recent years, International Property Advisor’s Ku Swee Yong looks at whether it is an opportune time for elderly flat owners to consider cashing out their HDB nest eggs.

Malaysians losing battle on vaping after shock legalisation move

Malaysia’s move to tax nicotine-laced vape products could generate revenue for healthcare spending, but it may exacerbate the youth smoking problem instead, says Malaysia health journalist Loh Foon Fong.

Should fresh graduates negotiate starting pay?

As the economy and job market shift, young people may feel unsure about their future if they don’t have a good starting point. But it’s critical to be realistic about asking for higher starting pay, says Randstad’s Jaya Dass.

Child abuse: When parents attack their own

The horrific case of a 5-year-old boy who was scalded and abused to death at the hands of his parents has led some people to ask – how can anyone be so cruel to their own child. Forensic psychiatrist Dr Jaydip Sarkar who assessed the boy’s mother and Cindy Ng-Tay, director of Melrose Home, give some answers.

While JCube had some unique offerings like an Olympic-sized ice skating rink and the first IMAX theatre in the heartlands, it was insufficient to set the shopping mall apart from larger competitors like Jem and Westgate, says NUS Business School Professor Sing Tien Foo.

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