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CNA
4 hours ago
- Business
- CNA
IN FOCUS: Subletting of hawker stalls an 'open secret' despite decade-long ban
SINGAPORE: After closing a Western food stall at a coffee shop last year, Mr Ng set his sights on a new goal – opening a hawker stall with his wife to sell artisanal and traditional coffee. Rather than bid for a tender through the National Environment Agency (NEA), the 31-year-old visited about 10 hawker centres to look for a stall to sublet. 'The only reason why I'll choose to sublet is because … good places will never be given up,' said Mr Ng, who did not want his full name published. Although Singapore prohibits the subletting of hawker stalls, the practice has persisted. Experts say it undermines the intent of hawker centres, which are meant to offer affordable food and support small-scale entrepreneurship. 'If the government were to allow subletting, it would attract a more commercially oriented type of vendor, the same sort of people who are already in the food courts and the kopitiams,' said National University of Singapore (NUS) economist Ivan Png. Such vendors would 'price more commercially' and food costs would go up, he added. Experts also point to the principle at stake – that subsidised hawker stalls should not be used for private gain. But most of the 20 hawkers CNA spoke to said it is an 'open secret' that under-the-table subletting arrangements are common across hawker centres. The ban on subletting was introduced in 2012. Stallholders were given a three-year grace period to adjust, and current rules require successful tenderers or their registered joint operators to personally run the stall for at least four hours daily. BETTER LOCATION, HIGHER FOOTFALL Mr Ng said he would prefer to go through NEA's official tender process if better locations were available. 'At the end of the day … that stall is not yours. So anytime, if the real owner wants to take back right, there's nothing you can do,' he said about sublet stalls. But the stalls available for tender are often not ideal, Mr Ng said. 'You know every single shop will 'toh' one, what's the point?' he said, using the Hokkien term for 'fail'. He has been quoted S$8,000 (US$6,300) to sublet a popular stall in Chinatown, and as low as S$2,000 for stalls in less crowded areas. The median rent for non-subsidised hawker stalls has remained at around S$1,250 monthly between 2015 and 2023, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said earlier this year. Those on the subsidised rental scheme typically pay S$192, S$320 or S$384 per month, Ms Fu said in a parliamentary response in 2023. But as older hawkers retired, the proportion of subsidised stallholders fell from 40 per cent in 2013 to 30 per cent over the same period. Mr Melvin Chew, who runs Jin Ji Teochew Braised Duck and Kway Chap at Chinatown Complex, said most prime-location stalls are still held by older hawkers. 'You can hardly tender for such good location unless the existing hawkers are willing to give up or return to NEA,' said the 47-year-old. 'So most people will hunt for such stalls.' COMPETITIVE BIDS The limited number of stalls available for tender means that bidding can be competitive. Mr Tan, a hawker who sublet a stall to sell Chinese desserts, said bids for government-run hawker stalls were 'way too high' for him. People often bid 'crazy' prices, the 39-year-old added. In one 2024 case, a stall at Marine Parade Central drew a record bid of over S$10,000. Dr Koh Poh Koon, the senior minister of state for the environment ministry then, said that such bids were outliers and 'not the norm'. How to bid for a hawker stall through NEA NEA holds tender exercises for vacant stalls on its website, typically from the 13th to the 26th of every month. The five highest bids are published about one week after the tender closes, and the final results are released five to seven weeks later. There are no minimum bid prices and stalls are awarded to the highest qualifying bid. Successful bid prices are also published on NEA's website as a reference to guide future tenderers. In November last year, NEA revised its rental renewal policy to reduce inflated bids. Previously, tenderers could put in high bids to secure the stall, as their tendered rent would be adjusted downwards to the assessed market rate after three years. Now, rental for the second tenancy term is adjusted downwards by 50 per cent of the difference between the tendered and assessed market rates. But Mr Tan said many available stalls were designated for Halal or Indian food, which he did not want to sell. Of 34 stalls in the latest tender in July, 26 stalls were designated as such. Mr Tan, who sublets a stall at a hawker centre in the west, pays about S$4,100 for rent, while the original stallholder pays about S$2,600. 'I have no choice, because these people don't let go,' he said. 'How I get to bid, I can't bid at all, right?' Some see subletting as more affordable than renting from privately run coffee shops. One hawker who wanted to be known only as Tim said he pays a 'reasonable' S$3,000 a month to sublet a hawker stall in Bukit Merah. The 34-year-old, who runs a noodles stall, said he sees subletting as a 'win-win' solution. 'I pay less rent and my business is good. At the same time, I managed to help the stall owner so that they don't have to work already.' He pointed out that many veteran hawkers have been working for decades and still need income in their retirement. 'You are killing people's careers and lives if you don't let them sublet,' he said. 'If they return (the stall) to NEA, what do they do? They still have things to pay for in life.' Anecdotally, most stallholders who rent out their stalls are older hawkers seeking passive income. While most sublet their stall for slightly higher than what they pay for rent, some 'spoil market' by charging 'very high prices', said Jin Ji Teochew Braised Duck's Mr Chew, who also founded the Facebook group Hawkers United - Dabao 2020. Under the Hawker's Succession Scheme, veteran hawkers planning to retire can pass down their skills, recipes and stalls to aspiring hawkers. Those who return their stall to NEA and exit the trade receive a one-off ex gratia payment of S$23,000. But many see the payout as modest compared to what they can earn by renting out the stall or arranging a private takeover. In such takeovers, buyers pay an agreed fee directly to the original stallholder before applying for a transfer of ownership. A hawker in his early 60s told CNA he put his drinks stall up for takeover at around S$80,000. After 40 years in the trade, he hopes to retire due to poor health. With help from a property agent, he has received a few enquiries so far. FINDINGS STALLS TO SUBLET Former hawker Khoo Keat Hwee, who used to run Mentai-Ya Japanese Cuisine, said it is common for those seeking stalls to visit hawker centres in person. He recalled being approached several times a year by property agents. Mr Khoo, 38, who is now an F&B consultant, said the 'most ridiculous' quote he heard was S$8,500 a month to rent a stall at a hawker centre in Bedok. CNA also found listings for hawker stalls on platforms such as Carousell and Facebook, with monthly rents ranging from S$2,900 for a stall in Jurong West to S$4,000 for one near Rochor. One Toa Payoh stall was listed for takeover at a staggering S$168,888. In the past year, there were at least 10 such posts in a Facebook group, seven listings on Carousell and one on property platform Carousell said sellers are responsible for ensuring listings comply with local laws, and it is 'not privy to and not in a position to enforce' third-party agreements. Facebook and did not respond to queries. KNOCK-ON EFFECT ON PRICES Some argue that subletting helps preserve variety in hawker centres. Food critic KF Seetoh said it can 'add to the colour of the culture'. 'It's a win-win for both original hawkers and the new player, and customers won't really care much as long as food is affordable and good,' he said. But others warn of a knock-on effect on prices. Mr Khoo said sublet stalls tend to charge more. For example, a plate of chicken rice may be priced at S$5 to S$6 compared with the national average of S$3.80 in 2023. 'The whole ecosystem will be affected,' he said. 'At the end of the day, food prices will not be as cheap or as affordable as they're supposed to be.' Mr Ng, the hawker looking for a stall to sublet, acknowledged that if he were to pay a much higher rent, he would need to price his coffee higher. 'I'll need to cut down my cost to maybe S$3 a cup. That's also very expensive for iced coffee,' he said. Dr Tan Ern Ser, adjunct principal research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies, pointed out that subletting was banned to curb rental hikes, which could ultimately drive up food prices. Allowing subletting would run counter to the intent behind hawker centres, which is to encourage entrepreneurship and preserve hawker culture, he added. LOOPHOLES AND ENFORCEMENT In March, Dr Koh said in a Facebook post that detecting subletting 'isn't always straightforward'. 'Subletting is done under the table, and NEA has to conduct thorough investigations to uncover and substantiate such cases,' he said. Requiring stallholders to physically operate their stalls remains the 'most practical and fair way' of preventing subletting. In 2024, NEA identified and warned more than 230 stalls that were not personally operated by registered stallholders. More than 100 terminated their tenancy. Others resumed personal operations or provided valid reasons for their absence, such as medical conditions, Dr Koh said. Earlier this week, I explained in Parliament the importance of NEA requiring a hawker to personally operate a stall in... Posted by Koh Poh Koon - 许宝琨 on Friday, March 14, 2025 In response to CNA's queries, NEA said it conducts thorough investigations to uncover and substantiate subletting cases. This includes gathering photo evidence, conducting interviews and performing repeated checks before action is taken. Members of the public who suspect a hawker stall is subletting can inform NEA, which will look into cases that have reasonable grounds for investigation, the agency said. Still, hawkers told CNA that some stallholders register sublessees as workers to evade detection. An ayam penyet hawker in his 40s told CNA he is looking to rent out one of the two stalls he has for about S$4,000 a month, despite paying only S$2,000 for it. To avoid detection, he plans to register the sublessees as his workers, keeping the stall under his name. 'The only difference is they get the income,' he said. When asked how he would respond to government inspectors, he replied: 'The ruling is you have to be at the stall. We are at the stall.' Tim, the hawker subletting in Bukit Merah, said the original stallholder is present almost daily and remains on-site when inspectors visit. Such inspections are conducted regularly and at random times. Veteran hawker Niven Leong of Sin Kee Famous Chicken Rice said many enter the trade as entrepreneurs, not traditional hawkers. 'I am a businessman, I'm not a hawker,' said the 65-year-old of such hawkers. 'The mentality is different.' "GRASPING SAND" In March, a hawker's Facebook complaint that his pregnant wife was 'forced' to man their stall in Yishun sparked renewed scrutiny of the rules. Experts say enforcement is no simple task. NEA oversees over 6,000 cooked food stalls across 123 markets and hawker centres. Author and researcher Ryan Kueh, who wrote From Streets to Stalls, said enforcement must be balanced with empathy for older hawkers who have legitimate reasons for not being able to operate their stalls personally. 'I do think NEA does its best to look at this on a case-by-case basis,' he said. 'Obviously, there will always be individuals who try and test the system, and I do think those individuals should be clamped down on hard.' Assistant Professor of Urban Studies Aidan Wong from the Singapore Management University likened the situation to 'grasping sand'. 'Too loose, and you get the problems of this idea that widespread subletting is occurring. Hold it too tightly, and you disincentivise any form of public hawkering,' he said. Adjunct Associate Professor Terence Ho from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS added that subletting could make it more difficult for genuine hawkers to obtain a stall. Unlike coffee shops, hawker stalls are intended to provide Singaporeans with the opportunity to run a small food business, he said. 'There is an element of wanting to preserve Singapore's distinctive hawker heritage, rather than have big chains with hired workers take over the running of hawker stalls,' he added. Younger hawkers are already feeling its effects. 'We can't go in, the barrier is getting higher,' said Mr Tan, the Chinese desserts hawker. Big players with deeper pockets will be able to bid higher prices and crowd out new entrants, he added. Mr Ng, the hawker searching for a stall to sublet for his artisanal coffee business, still hopes to run his own stall one day. While he acknowledges that the current system makes it difficult for younger hawkers to enter the trade, he said he understands why some choose to sublet their stalls for passive income. 'Humans are humans. Nobody will say no to money,' he said, adding that a harsh clampdown on subletting could have unintended consequences. 'It might actually make a lot of people lose their rice bowl.'
Hans India
a day ago
- Business
- Hans India
We are equipping youth with future skills: Lokesh
Singapore: Minister for education, IT, and electronics Nara Lokesh on Monday declared that the state is actively preparing its youth with future-ready skills, moving beyond traditional education to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving technological landscape. He stressed that the challenges of workforce transformation are not limited to any single region, and Andhra Pradesh aims to collaborate with Singapore for accelerated transformation. Speaking at a round-table conference on 'Skills to Competencies, Accelerating Workforce Transformation' in Singapore, Lokesh said, 'In today's competitive world, with technology advancing at a rapid pace, traditional education is no longer sufficient for skill development. The Fourth Industrial Revolution demands not just technical skills but also competencies.' He highlighted the need for individuals to possess the ability to adapt, innovate, and solve complex problems in dynamic environments. 'As the IT & electronics minister of Andhra Pradesh, we are striving to position our state as a hub for innovation and a leader in workforce transformation,' he said. 'We are not just preparing our youth for jobs; we are equipping them with the skills necessary for the future.' He announced that Andhra Pradesh universities are introducing skill development courses and fundamentally changing curricula to align with international technological advancements. 'We are ready to work with Singaporean universities on research, innovation, student exchange, and entrepreneurship,' Lokesh added. He stressed the need for Andhra Pradesh and the organisations represented in Singapore to collaborate to create synergies that accelerate transformation. R. Rajaram (registrar, National University of Singapore), Sia Siew Kien (associate vice president, Nanyang Technology University), Professor Pradeep Reddy (Singapore Management University), chairman Professor Rajesh Elara Mohan (Singapore University of Technology and Design), associate professor Yap Meen Sheng (Singapore University of Social Science), and Chen Hong Xiang (business development director, Skills Future SG Ventures) attended the conference.
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Ports, cities, sports on agenda of Andhra CM's day two of Singapore tour
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, on the second day of his five-day Singapore tour, will focus on port-led development, urban planning and international sports collaboration. According to a press release, Naidu is slated to hold a meeting with Singapore's Minister for Trade and Industry Tan See Leng on Monday morning, discussing energy, science, technology, and industrial cooperation between Singapore and Andhra Pradesh. "On the second day of his five-day visit to Singapore, Naidu will hold meetings with several organisational heads, including representatives of the Singapore government. The discussions will centre around urban development, sports, and port-led industrial growth," said the release. The chief minister is scheduled to meet Airbus representatives, followed by an interaction with Honeywell officials to discuss industrial technology collaborations. Naidu will participate in a Business Round Table titled 'From Skills to Competencies, accelerating Workforce Transformation'. Students from the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore Management University (SMU), and Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) will attend. He is expected to meet Simon Tan, Chairman of EverVolt, to explore green energy and battery storage solutions, followed by a visit to Singapore Sports School. The Sports School visit aims to align Andhra Pradesh's sports ecosystem with global best practices in athlete development, infrastructure, and international sports education models. The TDP supremo will visit the Tuas Port and later meet Port of Singapore Authority CEO Vincent to discuss smart logistics, export infrastructure and large-scale industrial clusters. Naidu will present Andhra Pradesh's development roadmap at the AndhraSingapore Business Forum in the afternoon, followed by a strategic meeting with Adani Ports MD Karan Adani in the evening. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Independent Singapore
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Independent Singapore
PHV driver/rider guide for Singaporeans: How being behind the wheel is killing you, and what you can do to stay alive and beat fatigue without hitting the brakes
SINGAPORE: If you're a private-hire vehicle (PHV) driver, delivery rider, or taxi driver in Singapore, you already know: the 9-to-5 life is a distant dream. Your work clock spins on its own terms. One hour you're dropping off someone, and the next hour, you're grabbing food for someone else—all while seated for hours, dodging erratic cars, tolerating demanding passengers, and sitting through the occasional monsoon downpour. It's not just exhausting. It's dangerous. According to a 2022 study by the National University of Singapore's Institute of Policy Studies, platform workers work an average of 59 hours per week, as reported by CNA Lifestyle . That's more than a full-time job and then some. And with roughly 70,000 gig workers in Singapore's ride-hail and delivery sectors (about 3% of the national workforce), that's a lot of folks behind the wheel, pushing through long days with barely a break. These individuals are our unsung heroes, responsible for our food deliveries, midnight rides, and early-morning airport trips. But behind every steering wheel is a platform worker fighting traffic jams, fatigue, dehydration, body aches, and burnout. Sleepless in Singapore Fatigue isn't just about feeling tired. It's a slow fade of your mental reflexes, concentration, and alertness, turning your Grab ride into a potential hazard. 'Drivers experiencing fatigue may show signs such as frequent yawning and blinking, difficulty keeping their eyes open, and decreased concentration and vigilance,' CNA Lifestyle quoted Dr Licia Tan, an associate consultant at Sengkang General Hospital's Department of Occupational Medicine. 'Passengers might also notice the driver becoming fidgety, veering off the lane, or driving erratically,' she added. How long does it take before you hit the sleepy slope? Just one to two hours of non-stop driving, according to Dr. Tan. That's because driving—especially in Singapore's bustling streets—is mentally demanding. 'Driving is a cognitively demanding task that relies on sustained attention, quick reflexes, and decision-making – all of which would decline when a driver is tired,' she explained. And on scorching hot days, it gets worse. 'Intense weather conditions, such as a high environmental temperature, show a positive association with fatigue symptoms and have been linked to poorer decision-making and road traffic accidents,' said Dr. Tan. Translation: Singapore's weather isn't just bad for your hair—it's bad for your brain. Even more worrying: Staying awake for 18 hours is the cognitive equivalent of a 0.05% blood alcohol level. Push that to 24 hours, and it's 0.10%—above the legal limit of 0.08% in Singapore. You may be sober, but your brain thinks you're drunk. It's not just traffic that's draining you Fatigue comes in two nasty flavours, said Dr. Tan: active and passive. Active fatigue happens when you're constantly dodging other bad vehicle drivers, navigating heavy traffic, or trying not to hydroplane during a thunderstorm. You're mentally switched on, but that intensity burns you out fast. Passive fatigue, on the other hand, creeps in during long, boring driving journeys. Think: driving along the expressway on autopilot. It's so monotonous, your brain starts to doze off before your eyes do. And let's not forget the psychological stress, such as dealing with rude customers or being under pressure to meet incentive targets. Add in mobile phone distractions and the occasional sip of alcohol (which you shouldn't be doing at all while driving/riding), and you've got a cocktail of concentration killers. The health toll behind the wheel You'd think mental stress would be the worst of it—but nope, your body takes a massive hit, too. Driving is, at its core, a sedentary job. Hours spent sitting still, missing meals, or wolfing down fast food, and barely moving your limbs is a one-way street to chronic diseases like hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesity. Also on the danger list are lower back pain, musculoskeletal disorders, and the condition known as whole-body vibration (WVB). If you've ever felt your bones rattle after a long day on rough roads, that's WVB in action—and it's linked to nerve damage, spinal degeneration, and vascular issues. So, what can a road warrior like you do about it? Doctor's orders: 4 easy habits to stay road-ready 1. Fuel your body right (not just your car) Stick to regular meals and stock up on healthy snacks. Think: fruits or unsalted nuts—basically anything that won't leave a grease trail on your steering wheel. 2. Hydrate like your life depends on it (because it does) Two litres of water a day is the bare minimum. Keep a reusable bottle in your car and top it up regularly. Dehydration can make you drowsy, dizzy, and cranky—not a great combo for safe driving. 3. Take micro-breaks Even a 5–10-minute pause every hour can work wonders. Stretch your legs after dropping off a passenger. Do quick lunges or shoulder rolls. Park and pace around the car. The more you move, the more your body will thank you. 4. Say no to marathon driving Driving more than 12 hours a day isn't heroic—it's hazardous. Long hours heighten fatigue-related errors and hurt your heart in the long run. If no time to stop, here's a hack If you really can't pull over for a proper break, then micro-stretch at the wheel. Dr. Tan recommends neck rolls, shoulder shrugs, and upper body stretches—simple seated exercises you can do while waiting at a red light or in a queue. And don't underestimate your seat. Adjust it for the most ergonomic posture—for comfort, and to prevent strain that creeps in after long shifts. Even the best engines need regular maintenance, and so do you You're not just a driver. You're the engine of the gig economy. But even the best engines need regular maintenance. Similarly, your body, mind, and health deserve pit stops, hydration, and decent fuel. Don't let fatigue take over the wheel. Take control of your health—one break, one stretch, one good habit at a time. Drive safe. Stay sharp. And don't forget to take care of the person behind the steering wheel first before anything else. In other news, a Grab rider's wife opened up about her growing concerns for her husband's safety on the road. She said, 'It's just the risk in riding that concerns me, especially during rain. Even when we're careful, others may be careless.' You can read their full story over here: 'Are you embarrassed or even humiliated to say your husband is a Grab rider?' — Singaporean 'abang Grab' asks his wife, and gets an honest, shocking answer
CNA
5 days ago
- General
- CNA
Ageism seen to be on the rise in Singapore, more than race and gender bias: IPS survey
SINGAPORE: A new survey has found that more people in Singapore consider ageism to be on the rise compared to racism or gender bias. A clear majority still believe that levels of prejudice across various identity markers have not changed from five years ago, according to the survey by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS). IPS, a think-tank within the National University of Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, released its findings on Friday (Jul 25) in a paper titled Prejudice, Attitudes and Critical Perspectives on Race in Singapore. For the first time, the IPS survey also covered attitudes towards Chinese privilege and critical race theory, which came up in a nationwide debate between survey cycles. The survey gathered responses from 4,000 citizens and permanent residents. This sample was representative of the age, race and gender make-up of Singapore's resident population. The study's authors, Dr Mathew Mathews, Mr Melvin Tay and Dr Teo Kay Key, said that age-based prejudice stood out as the area with the "greatest perceived deterioration". The survey found that 17.6 per cent of people thought ageism had become more common than five years ago. This was less than the 21.3 per cent recorded in 2018. But it was noticeably higher than the 11.2 per cent and 8.8 per cent who believed racism and gender bias had worsened, respectively, in the latest survey. AGEISM AT WORK Those aged 51 to 65 had the highest proportion of respondents who felt ageism had worsened, at 21.1 per cent. This was followed by the 36 to 50 age group (17.5 per cent), 18 to 35 age group (17.3 per cent) and lastly the respondents above 65 (14.3 per cent). The study's authors noted that this differed from the more linear survey findings in 2018, where the oldest age group was also the most likely to perceive more age-related bias. They linked these findings to workplace discrimination and career ceilings. "Individuals in the 51 to 65 age group may face challenges in the workplace, such as limited opportunities for promotions, training and job security," said the researchers. "They may feel overlooked for career advancements or suspect that age plays a role in hiring decisions, reinforcing perceptions of age bias." At the same time, measures in recent years that were aimed at the oldest age group above 65 may have helped to lessen negative sentiments related to ageism, they said. The proportion who felt that ageism had stayed about the same widened to 54.6 per cent. This was 5.5 percentage points higher than in 2018. Accordingly, the proportion who saw ageism becoming less common fell to 27.8 per cent, down 1.8 percentage points from 2018. SOME GROUPS MORE LIKELY TO SEE PREJUDICE Turning to other forms of prejudice, the authors highlighted that nationality-based bias was also of relatively high concern, with 13.9 per cent who see it worsening. Apart from age, race, gender and nationality, the survey also covered religion, language and sexuality. Perceptions of bias across all these identity markers have largely stabilised over time, with a clear majority saying that levels of prejudice remained the same, the researchers said. But they pointed out that "stability masks divergence" among minorities, younger age groups and the less affluent, who tend to have sharper concerns towards prejudice. For example, younger people were more likely to see an increase in racism compared to older respondents. "Younger generations today are more educated on social issues, including racial prejudice, due to greater exposure to conversations on social media platforms and public discussions around these topics," said the researchers. "This awareness can heighten their sensitivity to issues of prejudice, leading them to perceive it as more prevalent." ONE-THIRD SUPPORT A SINGLE DOMINANT CULTURE The survey also found that one-third of respondents felt it would be better for Singapore if everyone embraced a dominant national culture instead of different racial cultures. This proportion was the same as that in the 2018 survey, and lower than the 55.4 per cent recorded in an earlier survey in 2013. Compared with Chinese respondents, Malay and Indian respondents were more likely to strongly disagree that a dominant national culture is better. But at the aggregate levels of agreement and disagreement, there were no major differences across racial groups. CHINESE PRIVILEGE AND CRITICAL RACE THEORY Chinese privilege and critical race theory came under scrutiny amid xenophobic comments and high-profile racist incidents during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study's authors noted that racial discourse in Singapore is shaped by "a state-led ideology of multiracialism, which publicly promotes racial harmony and equality". In contrast, critical race theory centres the experiences of marginalised groups and interrogates the pervasiveness of racism, which is seen as normalised and deeply embedded in social structures, they said. The survey asked respondents to agree or disagree with seven statements about critical race theory being applied to Singapore. A high proportion of 73 per cent felt uncomfortable using "concepts from abroad" like critical race theory and white privilege to talk about race in Singapore. A majority agreed with the statements that race is a social rather than biological construct (57.1 per cent) and that racism is a common experience for racial minorities (56.2 per cent). Racial minorities, younger and more educated respondents and those living in public housing were more likely to agree that racism is a common experience for minorities. While 59.6 per cent agreed that "it is easier to be a Chinese Singaporean in Singapore", a lower 44.7 per cent agreed that Chinese privilege exists in the country. Attitudes towards Chinese privilege diverged along race and age lines, with racial minorities and younger respondents again more likely to acknowledge the existence of such privilege. Under 46 per cent of all respondents agreed that Chinese Singaporeans only encourage racial equality if it serves their interests, and just 30.4 per cent agreed that only minorities are qualified to talk about racism. The study's authors said that openness towards critical race perspectives in Singapore presents both opportunities and challenges. While younger Singaporeans are attuned to structural inequalities, "caution is needed" when it comes to the "wholesale adoption of foreign terminologies and frameworks", they said. The researchers noted that experiences of discrimination persist, and that there is a still a gap between "multicultural ideals and everyday realities".
