March 1, 2010
Review hawker stall tender system
<!-- by line --><!-- end by line -->
<!-- end left side bar --><!-- story content : start -->
I REFER to the National Environment Agency's (NEA) letter last Thursday, 'No evidence prices in stalls operated by PRs are higher'.
The NEA's tender process for the tenancy of hawker stalls favours the highest bidders, who can subsequently sublet the stalls to citizens and permanent residents (PRs). Interested and skilful but poor elderly Singaporeans cannot beat the seasoned and rich businessmen in this game. Surely, with higher rentals, food prices are raised across the board at hawker centres.
Some stalls close down after a short period of operation because they charge high prices, resulting in slow business.
Private arrangements on stall leasing should not be allowed as this will upset efforts to keep rentals affordable.
Elderly citizens should be allotted a few reserved stalls at every hawker centre at reasonable rentals, so they can make a living as self-employed hawkers, especially those on welfare assistance.
The NEA should review its tender policies.
John Tang
Review hawker stall tender system
<!-- by line --><!-- end by line -->
<!-- end left side bar --><!-- story content : start -->
I REFER to the National Environment Agency's (NEA) letter last Thursday, 'No evidence prices in stalls operated by PRs are higher'.
The NEA's tender process for the tenancy of hawker stalls favours the highest bidders, who can subsequently sublet the stalls to citizens and permanent residents (PRs). Interested and skilful but poor elderly Singaporeans cannot beat the seasoned and rich businessmen in this game. Surely, with higher rentals, food prices are raised across the board at hawker centres.
Some stalls close down after a short period of operation because they charge high prices, resulting in slow business.
Private arrangements on stall leasing should not be allowed as this will upset efforts to keep rentals affordable.
Elderly citizens should be allotted a few reserved stalls at every hawker centre at reasonable rentals, so they can make a living as self-employed hawkers, especially those on welfare assistance.
The NEA should review its tender policies.
John Tang