Source: Ong Ye Kung on TikTok & KF Seetoh on Facebook
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung has recently stepped in to address concerns raised by Makansutra founder KF Seetoh over the management of Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre, including claims about hawkers being charged for storage baskets and being forced to give away dozens of free meals every month.
In a Facebook post on Monday (11 Aug), Mr Ong — who is also Member of Parliament (MP) for Sembawang, where the hawker centre is located — said he decided to look into the matter after reading Mr Seetoh’s posts.
One post, dated 4 Aug, had alleged that hawkers were charged S$70 per month for using a blue basket to store supplies.
“This is not true,” Mr Ong stated. He clarified there’s no such practice of charging stallholders for baskets kept behind their stalls.
Another claim, posted on 8 Aug, said that hawkers were required to provide 60 free meals each month.
Mr Ong clarified that when the hawker centre first opened, stallholders agreed to provide 30 meals monthly for low-income residents.
This was later revised to 100 meals over their entire three-year lease, and there are no penalties if they don’t provide the meals.
The initiative, he added, has not even begun yet and is meant to encourage hawkers to “Pay-It-Forward”.
Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre, which opened in Dec 2022, has become a popular spot for residents, according to Mr Ong.
He called it a “lively and welcoming” place to enjoy food and connect with neighbours amid greenery.
“I visit frequently and have seen the growth of the hawker centre firsthand,” he wrote.
Source: Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre on Facebook
While acknowledging Mr Seetoh’s dedication to local hawker culture, Mr Ong urged that discussions be held “without putting down anyone”.
“When issues arise, there are avenues for discussion and resolution,” he said, emphasising the need for everyone to work together to keep hawker culture thriving.
Later in the day on 11 Aug, Mr Seetoh posted a reply, thanking Mr Ong and providing more information regarding his earlier claims.
He remains concerned that while the 60 free charity meals may not be enforced now, the contract allows management to impose them anytime.
Source: KF Seetoh on Facebook
He also claimed a hawker had shown him an invoice and receipt for the blue basket cost, and insisted there was no reason for the hawker to fabricate the story.
“I have seen the invoice and receipt of payment for it,” he wrote. “It’s called a Backyard Cluster (0.48m). I’ll show it to you if need be.”
Mr Seetoh urged the minister to review a hawker’s full contract to check for terms that may conflict with what a socially responsible hawker centre management should uphold.
He added that Singapore’s UNESCO-recognised hawker culture holds great promise for a sustainable future, if managed well.
Ending on a lighter note, he invited Mr Ong for a coffee: “Thank you Min Ong. Love to Kopi with you on this so u get a fuller picture.”
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Featured image adapted from Ong Ye Kung on TikTok & KF Seetoh on Facebook.