Zat Astha’s Post

If you want to see the effects of climate change, look no further than Hong Kong. Or any other major cities for that matter. I’m singling Hong Kong out because I’m here for a leisure solo holiday and a conversation with the manager at the hotel I’m residing made me think about how hot and dry the country was in July last year. Today, the weather alternated between rain (like rainnnnned) and scorching bright heat at least four times between 9am to 3pm. It’s why, everywhere I go, I try to find refuge in some place with aircon for relief. Yes, I know and fully comprehend the irony of utilising a heat-emitting resource to escape a climate-confused world thereby leading to a convoluted unending cycle of extreme weather. It’s inevitable — we’re now living in a world forever changed where the only thing left to do is to be able to measure our carbon emissions to at least slow down the inescapable. That’s where companies like Zuno Carbon and its CEO Hari Nair comes in. “Diving into the sustainability sector opened my eyes to the critical issues we face and how little control we currently have over them,” Hari tells The Peak Singapore in this issue of How They See It. “I realised that there’s so much to be done and that any contribution, no matter how small, can make a difference. No person or organisation is too big or too small for the task.” It’s a timely reminder, if anything, of how, when it comes to sustainability, we should not choose the path of dejection — we don’t have to in fact. Sure it might feel pointless and performative with every small act that we do, but I believe that with sustainability and carbon tracking, it is the many and the concerned that makes the most difference. And the more we demand that corporations do better, the better the chances for the world to find a way to repair itself, hopeless as it may see now. Have a read.

When I chose Allen Law as one of the recipients for this year’s Power List, I had an ulterior motive. I wanted to find out why a hospitality doyen of close to a decade decided to shift focus to co-founder of MOVE [REPEAT] Fitness Lifestyle Brands. Was he bored? Was he craving for something new and fancy as some startup founders I know are wont to do? Why is Allen singing a different tune and would that song be a hit? Turns out, he was acting on a passion for wellness — for movement. As a former customer of Yoga Movement, he had a deep sense of appreciation for how community plays a crucial role in a person’s fitness journey, understanding that no progress and philosophy can thrive better under the awning of support and communal encouragement. (To add, Allen’s patronage since 2016 is apparent from the way he stands — ram rod straight, powerful, forward, a stark contrast to everyone else in the photo studio. I can attest, that we all stood a little straighter during the shoot. 😆) That he has such a deep subject matter expertise in the hospitality space is but a welcome benefit for the brand’s OG founders, Peter Thew and Alicia Thew. Today, the brand has expanded to Hong Kong with plans underway to truly establish themselves as Asia's leading boutique fitness provider. But beyond establishing presence or growing an already thriving community, Allen is proof that even after decades in an industry that is so intimately tied to one’s identity, there is still room for change. There’s still wiggle space to nurture passion, and there’s still opportunities for tangents and courage. It’s for these reasons that Allen is one of my recipient for The Peak Singapore’s Power List 2024. Stay tuned as I share the remaining awardees for the class of 2024 and, come end July, a ✨grand✨reveal of the theme this year that ties all our profiles together.

“Today, we won’t retire the same way as our parents would,” I once told a friend who was dreaming of retiring early. What would that even mean, I wonder. Does it mean a complete pause on all income-generating work? Does it mean working on only things you love? Does retirement mean sitting at the beach reading a book whenever your heart desire? The truth is, us millennials romanticise the ideals of retiring based on what our parents aren’t able to do today. They can’t take long holidays — so we want long holidays. They don’t have work life balance — so we want work life balance. They are tired — so we don’t want to feel tired. A few years back, when my dad, who was a career careerist (35 years of non-stop work), got laid off, he spent six months just moping about at home. At the tail end of it, he got a mini stroke, unable to open the door lock, compelled to be hospitalised. Thankfully he’s now fully recovered but that incident convinced me of one thing — that we should never stop moving. That’s not to say that retirement cannot be about the cliche of sitting by the beach and reading a book. Or sipping on cocktails at lunch, your time completely and entirely your own. It can be about that — but is it only about that? I am so tired of hearing people say they can’t wait to retire and do nothing. Because all I hear is a willingness to slip into mental decline and embracing a life sans meaning. All I hear is someone wanting to run away from the vagaries of life. All I hear is someone who still hasn’t found their real purpose in life. Someone who’s still running away from something — but what? It’s why stories like Mr Tai’s makes me so happy. Here’s a man who toiled his whole life and is excited for the future having only started — at 75. Seventy five. I can only imagine the career retirist (you know the type — FIRE this, FIRE that etc) frothing at their mouth, holding pitchforks and demanding we believe them when they say that Mr Tai is unhappy and should not be working so hard. Never mind that the man himself says it’s okay. This story makes me think about what retiring looks like for me — Type A, city girl, constantly restless, perpetually in need of mental stimulation. For me, retirement means having a career, having goals, having purpose, and having meaning at the job and work you’re pursuing. Retiring means living your truth and finding joy in waking up every morning. Retiring is about making a difference. Going by that definition, I can certainly say I’m halfway there.

If there’s one thing that Sha-En Yeo (MAPP, CSP)’s work at Happiness Scientists tells me is that being happy is not a given. It needs to be cultured, nurtured, and put through the paces. It’s more than just an emotion on a whim — it demands acknowledgment. Only with absolute understanding of it being there that one can truly appreciate being in its space. Too often, we take for granted this feeling of happiness — it doesn’t make for good artistic material I reckon. Poetry, songs, and tributes are seldom inspired from the flourishing of the self, no. Instead, misery, melancholy, and regret has become such close bed friends that today, we need to be taught how to be happy. This is where Sha-En comes in. Her work centres around the concept of positive psychology. Harvard defines it as “the science of human flourishing, the search for satisfaction and contentment that's within everyone's reach. Positive thoughts and positive attitudes — what we call positive thinking — can lead to direct, positive health outcomes.” I look at it as taking stock of what makes your heart full. It’s sitting down and journaling what you should be thankful for today — breathing, walking, waking, being. Those are things that are a given which we too often take for granted. A thing that we are assured will always be there come hell and high water. Unfortunately that is not true. And the fact that we need someone like Sha-en today to point us in the right direction of appreciation and intentional acknowledgment of all things good and rosy is the very reason why I’ve chosen her as one of the recipients of The Peak Singapore Power List 2024 available in August on both print and digital. Stay tuned as I share the remaining awardees for the class of 2024 and, come end July, a ✨grand✨reveal of the theme this year that ties all our profiles together.

The true genesis of Azran Osman-Rani’s work at Naluri - Employee Health & Wellness stems from his family. It all started when Azran observed how the physical health of his ailing father was prioritised — but not the mental health. That’s when he knew he wanted to make a difference. That’s when he saw the opportunity to ensure mental health services were accessible to the masses. And when once I would have simply nodded in polite agreement, today, I better understand his observation. *** For the last month, together with my siblings, I’ve had to manage my elderly mom who is having her first brush with bouts of anxiety. It all stemmed from the feelings she had from having to sit through the pain of glaucoma and the Gaussian blur of cataracts. She kept wondering why she was feeling not quite like her usual self. It was tough. Medication helped for sure, but how do I explain that mental health recovery is not linear to someone who only understands medicine as an immediate means to an end? I considered therapy, too, because she always feels better, more uplifted and spirited after speaking to her children or meeting her friend. But how do I explain the language of therapy to an elderly woman who eschews feeling sad — who sees sadness as a feeling that can be medicate away? *** It’s why I think any sort of work, progress, or efforts pertaining to mental health must be supported, roundly encouraged, and funded. Today, Azran is doing such great work with Naluri, normalising the various facets of mental health, ensuring the conversation keeps on going, and insisting on access as a given, not a privilege. It’s for this reason that Azran Osman-Rani is one of The Peak Singapore Power List recipient for the month of August, available both online and in print. Stay tuned as I share the remaining awardees for the class of 2024 and, come end July, a ✨grand✨reveal of the theme this year that ties all our profiles together.

[call for profile] Come September, The Peak Singapore and I are set to redefine and reimagine what it means to be a philanthropist. Given the number of philanthropy events I’ve been attending this year, I believe that there is a perceptible shift in how philanthropy is being viewed — moving away from glamourous giving to something more action-prioritising and KPI-leaning. It’s a movement that’s ripe for exploration. To that end, I’m looking to profile visionary business leaders, CEOs, or founders who are driving impactful change through their philanthropic endeavours for our September issue of The Business of Philanthropy. I am particularly interested in individuals who are either Singaporean or Permanent Residents, or who have spent a considerable amount of time in Singapore, and who maintain an active presence on LinkedIn. Our aim is to explore what it means to be a philanthropist in contemporary society, shedding light on the evolving perceptions and critical roles that philanthropists must embrace. If you are a leader making strides in the philanthropic landscape or know somebody who fits perfectly within this space, drop me a DM or tag the individual in the comment section below.

Zhihan Lee believes so much in the heart work that it has become the nexus of his company BagoSphere. “We don’t jump straight into technical skills, typically considered crucial for employability,” Lee explains in this interview with The Peak Singapore. “Instead, we start by asking questions like “What are your dreams?”, “What are your fears?”, and “What do you value?”” Lee takes this approach as a response to the emotional and social demographic of those under his charge. “Many young people lack exposure and are unsure about the job market. Many also suffer from low confidence and other socio-emotional gaps.” But I wonder if his human-centred approach could also benefit some of Singapore’s more, well, privileged students. You know the type: They score straight As, top the Dean’s list, finds a job before graduation — but struggle at work. They may possess the technical skills and academic prowess (lots of it, in fact), but too often lack the emotional intelligence and self-awareness crucial for navigating real-world challenges. Lee's method of engaging with individuals on a deeper and more emotive level could provide these students with the resilience and adaptability they need to truly excel in their careers. By focusing on personal growth and emotional well-being, Lee is not just preparing his charges for the job market; he is equipping them with life skills that transcend professional success. And if that doesn’t make for a wholesome career trajectory, I don’t know what else will. Have a read and find out more about the great work Lee is doing in the Philippines.

Each iteration of The Peak Singapore Power List starts with one business leader who serves as an inspiration for the year’s theme. This year, that person is Jensen Goh, Founder and CEO of Parklab Group Singapore. When I first drafted the nominees for 2024, Jensen epitomises everything I believed our theme stands for and what it aspires to be — doubtlessly and effortlessly. Still, while the play space pundit sits at the very heart of this year’s Power List, getting to him was a challenge. As someone who eschews the public eye, it perhaps reads as rather ironic that his creations as playground maker are more readily available and accessible than the man himself. So you can imagine the joy I felt when Jensen replied my email with an easy yes. I haven’t told him this before but his affirmation makes easy the work of drafting this year’s Power List. At the end of the photoshoot, after he’s warmed up, Jensen shares with me that his work actually goes beyond building and curating play spaces for children and the community. For him, it’s also about teaching children how to manage risk. He brings up the example of a bridge. “Before the child crosses the bridge at the playground, they have to weigh the risks and the danger of the crossing. Is it safe? Will they fall? Can they get across with as little risk as possible?” Sadly, today, such thought processes are being replaced by rote-learning, enrichment classes, and piano lessons. Many have lamented the lack of resilience in the younger generation today — in no small ways, I concur. I’ve often wondered how we arrived at this point, but after speaking with Jensen, I realize it might stem from the dwindling opportunities for children to cross bridges and face challenges at an age when they most need to learn such skills. *** Jensen is one of The Peak Power List recipient for the month of August, available both online and in print. Stay tuned as I share the remaining awardees for the class of 2024 and, come end July, a ✨grand✨reveal of the theme this year that ties all our profiles together.

The first time I met Nirbhay Handa, I struggled to understand what he did. That is perhaps why I decided to have tea with him one afternoon a few months back at the light-filled mise en scene of COMO Orchard. A few hours later, I left with a better understanding of what he does for work. I even crafted a possible theme — The Business of Movements. Very abstract — I know. A few months later, Nirbhay reached out to say that he’s about to launch Multipolitan. And as I was reading his press release and website, one term stuck out for me: borderless enthusiast. For me, I’m excited about the possibility of seamlessness — be it between countries, borders, currencies or governments. There are many advantages to this, chief of which is helping countries create attractive fiscal climates for entrepreneurs through special economic zones and innovative FDI tools. But beyond the predictable advantages of economic prowess, I see border seamlessness as a way for more people to be able to do more good for others. By removing barriers and fostering collaboration, we can create a world where resources and opportunities are more accessible, and where collective efforts can lead to greater social impact. It’s about enabling a global community that thrives on shared goals and mutual support, ultimately leading to a more inclusive and compassionate world. I understand that for now, inclusivity and social impact are not (yet) a goal for Multipolitan. But my job as a writer, I believe, is to dream possibilities. And today, with what Nirbhay hopes to achieve, a kinder more connected global community is a dream closer to reality than ever before. Have a read.

In some ways, I feel I have graduated from Pink Dot and all its associated pomp and pageantry. I know for a fact that I’m not alone in this. Many of my friends too have said that they weren’t attending this year — some haven’t been since a decade ago. A handful cited the weather, others bemoaned the crowd. A minority asks, ‘For what?’. It’s that last group that inspired this piece by Jamie Wong. For the past fourteen years, while Pink Dot has had slogan iterations ranging from hard-hitting (We Are Ready, 2018) to layers of subtlety (Love Lives Here, 2020), one demand remains perennial: The repeal of Section 377A. Today, with the penal code firmly left behind after its repeal on 3 January last year, what KPI then holds Singapore’s longest-running protest together? *** The business of activism — when successful — is methodical, intentional, and in no small ways, opportunistic. It leaps and pounces strategically on gaps left unattended, transforming societal inertia into moments of progress. Yet, when the primary objective is achieved, as with the repeal of Section 377A, the movement faces a critical juncture: how to redefine its mission and maintain momentum. This is where Pink Dot finds itself today. In the absence of a unifying legal target, the challenge is to harness the collective energy and focus it on broader social issues. Some suggest the movement should pivot to addressing workplace discrimination, mental health support for LGBTQ+ youth, or the fight for same-sex marriage. These are valid and pressing concerns, but they lack the clear, singular focus that a legislative battle provides. As Pink Dot enters this new phase, it must grapple with the question of identity and purpose. Is it still a protest, or has it evolved into a celebration of community and solidarity? Perhaps it can be both. The duality of protest and celebration could be its new strength, drawing people together not just in opposition to something, but in support of one another. Therein lies the paradox of Pink Dot’s progress — success has brought validation, but it also risks complacency. As the banners are packed away and the crowds disperse, one must wonder: what will drive the next wave of activism, and will it resonate as deeply as the fight against 377A? Thanks Clement Tan for speaking to The Peak Singapore. Have a read.