Louis Chua on growing Singapore’s hawker culture

Moving from a price-only tender would reduce a significant amount of financial pressure for both hawkers and consumers. It would also reduce the favourable environment for large franchises or those with deep pockets, as opposed to the enterprising and innovative hawkers starting out on their own. MP Louis Chua made this point in Parliament on Wednesday (Nov 13) and highlighted the merits of the Price-Quality Method for hawker centres. He also raised concerns with the requirements for stall owners to sell meals at Government-mandated budget prices at the expense of their dwindling incomes. He suggested that the Government bear the cost of the discounts by allowing CHAS cardholders to get budget meals. He said such a move would help to minimise the administrative and operational costs in providing affordable meals by tapping on the infrastructure and systems of a pre-existing scheme. Mr Chua said another means for hawkers to broaden their reach is by listing their business on food delivery platforms. On efforts to groom younger hawkers, Mr Chua urged the Government to seriously consider consolidating its programmes under a single hawker academy. Such an academy could provide more tailored support for hawkers, as well as streamline the role of the Government in its support for the hawker ecosystem, he said.