Xiao Shiong led a mediocre existence, studying for a degree he hated. One day, his violent junkie father was released from prison but immediately returned to his old ways, beating his wife for not properly welcoming him back. When Xiao Shiong confronted him outside, his father attempted to kill him, stabbing himself in the process. After his father's death, Xiao Shiong read countless online news comments praising the one that killed his addict father. Enlivened by the support, Xiao Shiong took on the superhero identity of Red Puma. Dian Nao, a university friend who does projects for the government surveillance system pieced together the identity of Red Puma. He offered to help Xiao Shiong track criminals down through the nationwide network. Xiao Shiong couldn't deny the good vibes he felt when people on his online feed congratulated him for his deeds. One day, Xiao Shiong managed to access Dian Nao's unattended laptop. There, he discovered Dian Nao was earning revenue from Xiao Shiong's exploits by mining online user accounts. Xiao Shiong discovered most of the user comments online were actually negative, with Dian Nao manipulating them to keep Xiao Shiong motivated. Tired of being betrayed by those he’d trusted, Xiao Shiong ended his partnership with Dian Nao. Shortly after, he received a call from Red Lion. An ex-commando turned fitness-blogger, Red Lion took up his own superhero identity to play copycat to Xiao Shiong's popularity online and offline. Enraged that his cop brother got killed, Red Lion warned Xiao Shiong that if he didn't show up to a televised one-on-one fight on a national landmark, Dian Nao whom he recently kidnapped, would die in a live-internet streaming broadcast. Xiao Shiong has to decide whether to risk his life and freedom in trying to save the friend who’d betrayed him. It was a difficult choice that all heroes eventually face; to protect oneself, or others who depend on them. Validation explores the inadequacy felt when we are unable to live up to the expectations of society. It also explores the phenomenon of people turning to the internet for instant gratification and validation for their actions, getting virtual shares and likes that ultimately mean nothing.

Without nation branding, there would be no Singapore. Reputation is precious. Top talent and hot money gravitate only to the most attractive, respected nations. For a country as small and as young as Singapore, its brand is its most valuable asset. Singapore’s stunning ascent from Third World to First World in a matter of 30 years was spearheaded by a concerted, closely-coordinated programme of nation branding. Brand Singapore helped to attract the investments, business, trade, tourism and talented human resources that are the lifeblood of a successful nation. Today, the city-state is known internationally as a dynamic, safe, corruption-free place to do business, a Garden City, and increasingly, a vibrant city of culture and the arts. In global surveys of quality of life, Singapore regularly tops the charts. How did Singapore create this country brand, cultivate and guard it, sell it to its “shareholders”, and make it known to the world? Drawing on two decades in the nation branding game, Koh Buck Song offers an illuminating inside look at – and candid critique of – a country brand that is as rich in resource as it is potent with promise. Since the first publication of this book in 2011, Singapore has celebrated its golden jubilee of independence, undergone a watershed general election and the death of founding father Lee Kuan Yew, and seen its nation brand rise and fall amid the disruptions of an increasingly divisive world (Brexit, Trump, China, etc). This timely second edition explores the implications of all these factors on Singapore’s future.

This updated travel guide to Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei provides information for visitors on all budgets, including advice on getting there, accommodation, local cuisine, places to visit, language tips, and health and safety. This edition includes a guide to shopping and nightlife.

How can Brand Singapore renew itself once again, amidst a global pandemic? Reputation is precious, more than ever, in the face of deep global displacements exacerbated by Covid-19. Top talent and hot money typically gravitate only to the most attractive, respected nations. For a nation as small and as young as Singapore, its brand is its most valuable asset, as seen in its stunning ascent from Third World to First World in just 30 years since 1965, spearheaded by targeted country branding that builds on unique, longstanding brand attributes. This fully revised and updated edition of Brand Singapore analyses the challenges and opportunities of its latest repositioning for a post-Covid-19 world. The book also examines major events of the last four years since the Second Edition, including the “Passion Made Possible” country brand concept, the 2020 General Election, the reserved Presidency and the Singapore Bicentennial’s revised perspectives on 700 years of ancient history. “A must-read for all policy-makers and business leaders. The secret of Singapore’s success is precisely uncovered by Koh Buck Song.” – Yasu Ota, Nikkei Asian Review, Japan

Singlish is a punchy and witty patois used in Singapore. It mixes English with words, phrases, and syntaxes from the languages of different ethnic groups living in the country. This fascinating feature of Singaporean life favours efficient communication and humour and is well-loved by many. Spiaking Singlish doesn’t just describe Singlish elements; there are already several such references books. Rather, it aims to show how Singlish can be used in a confident and stylish way to communicate. Gwee Li Sui’s collection of highly entertaining articles shares his observation of how Singlish has evolved over the decades. To appeal to the “kiasu” nature of readers, each of the 45 pieces comes with a bonus comic strip. There is also a Singlish quiz at the end of the book for readers to test their grasp of Singlish! Spiaking Singlish is possibly the first book on Singlish written entirely in Singlish, complete with colloquial spelling. It may also be the most stimulating of them all. Fear not if you find this book too bizarre: all Singlish words and phrases are indexed and explained at some point in the book

Can a life weave along through the same notes and yet come to play forth different sounds? The Sound of SCH (pronounced S-C-H) is the true story of a journey with mental illness, beautifully told by Danielle Lim from a time when she grew up witnessing her uncle's untold struggle with a crippling mental and social disease, and her mother's difficult role as caregiver. The story takes place between 1961 and 1994, backdropped by a fast-globalising Singapore where stigmatisation of persons afflicted with mental illness nevertheless remains deep-seated. Unflinchingly raw and honest in its portrayal of living with schizophrenia, The Sound of Sch is a moving account of human resiliency and sacrifice in the face of brokenness. Winner of the Singapore Literature Prize (Non-Fiction 2016)