KF Seetoh presses on alleged unfair policies at Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre, urges clear SEHC guidelines

Online Citizen​

5 days ago

Veteran food critic KF Seetoh has renewed his claim that hawkers at Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre are charged S$70 monthly for a small storage space, despite denials from Health Minister Ong Ye Kung.
He has also reiterated his criticism of clauses in Socially Enhanced Hawker Centre (SEHC) contracts requiring hawkers to provide free meals, warning that such policies could harm Singapore's hawker culture.
payment invoice/receipt shows S$70 charge for 'Backyard Cluster'
In a Facebook post on 12 August, Seetoh shared what he said was an invoice or receipt from a hawker showing a S$70 monthly rental fee for a 0.48-square-metre space labelled 'Backyard Cluster'.
He explained that hawkers use the space for suppliers to place deliveries before operating hours, sometimes installing cabinets for storage.
Seetoh also posted a screenshot of a WhatsApp conversation with a hawker confirming the additional fee, along with a rental receipt breakdown highlighting the charge.
He argued that operators should only charge for actual storage cabinets, not for delivery holding areas, and urged a 'fair' approach.
Criticism of charity meal clauses
Seetoh also took aim at clauses in the tenancy agreement requiring hawkers to provide 30 free meals monthly for a Customer Relationship Management initiative and another 30 for a 'Pay-It-Forward' programme.
He said the wording — using 'shall' — made it legally binding, even if not enforced, leaving hawkers 'at the mercy and grace' of operators.
'Why even put it in contract legalese in the first place?' he wrote.
According to Seetoh, such contractual obligations were raised in Parliament last year and reported by The Straits Times.
He called for authorities to introduce standardised, transparent guidelines for all SEHCs to prevent 'ridiculous smash and grab' practices.
Minister Ong earlier refuted storage fee claim; meal initiative described as voluntary
Earlier on 11 August, Minister Ong responded on Facebook, rejecting the storage fee claim.
'There is no such practice of charging for the use of the blue baskets at the back of their stalls,' he said.
On the free meal requirement, Ong said the arrangement began with 30 monthly meals for low-income residents when the hawker centre opened, later revised to 100 meals over the three-year lease.
He emphasised that the programme has not yet begun, carries no penalties, and is a voluntary 'well-intentioned initiative' aimed at encouraging hawkers to contribute to the community.
Ong praised Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre as a 'lively and welcoming space' and urged all parties to work together to sustain hawker culture without 'putting down anyone'.
Seetoh maintains concerns over contract terms
In reply, Seetoh maintained that the clause's presence in the contract means it could be enforced at any time.
'Charity should be a personal deed between a person and his godly duties to heaven. It should not be in a contract even if hawkers agree to it,' he wrote.
He also warned that unchecked practices could lead to higher operating costs passed on to consumers, deter new hawkers, and even jeopardise Singapore's UNESCO recognition for hawker culture.
'It is embarrassing if we fail it here,' he said, adding that hawker culture's UNESCO status draws tourists who want to experience Singapore's food heritage.
Seetoh stressed he had no vested interest, only a desire to protect small and micro food businesses, and that his statements were based on hawkers' own documentation.