A controversy has emerged over hawker centre regulations following a social media post by Noorman Mubarak, who operates a nasi lemak stall at Yishun Park Hawker Centre with his wife, Mrs Noorman. The dispute arose after the National Environment Agency (NEA) issued a warning because Mrs Noorman, the registered stallholder, was not physically present at the stall, despite managing it remotely. This sparked widespread debate, with many expressing concern over her situation as she was heavily pregnant.
According to NEA regulations, stallholders are required to personally operate their stalls to prevent subletting. NEA stated that allowing subletting could drive up rental costs, making it harder for individuals to enter the industry and ultimately raising food prices. Stallholders who are unable to be present have the option to appoint a joint operator or a nominee. Additionally, NEA offers temporary rental rebates to those who need to close their stalls temporarily due to unforeseen circumstances.
Mrs Noorman and her husband have been running the stall since 2017. Initially, they were actively involved in day-to-day operations but later shifted to an administrative role while employing staff to handle cooking and serving. Mr Noorman argued that physical presence should not be mandatory, as they have implemented technology such as automated cooking machines, point-of-sale systems, and CCTV monitoring to run the business remotely.
Following the online discussion, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu addressed the issue in a Facebook post. She expressed empathy for Mrs Noorman’s situation but emphasized the importance of the requirement. She stated that hawker centres were designed to provide Singaporeans with the opportunity to run small food businesses. She warned that if stalls were allowed to be run like chain stores, rental prices would rise, making it harder for new hawkers to enter the industry and increasing food prices.
Social media posts also pointed out that the brand, Nasi Lemak Ayam Taliwang, operates more than 20 outlets across Singapore. While only the Yishun Park stall is registered under Mrs Noorman’s name, other locations are owned by business partners and private companies. NEA noted that it had engaged Mrs Noorman through its appointed operator, Timbre+ Hawkers, to explore possible solutions such as appointing a joint operator or a nominee. However, these efforts did not lead to an arrangement.
The management of Yishun Park Hawker Centre released a statement saying that it had reached out multiple times to discuss solutions with the couple. However, Mr Noorman refuted these claims, saying that the only communications received were a WhatsApp message and an email warning. He stressed that his wife was still actively managing the stall, just not physically present due to her pregnancy.
The incident has ignited discussions about whether traditional hawker regulations should adapt to modern business practices. While some support the NEA’s policy as a means of maintaining the integrity of hawker culture and keeping food affordable, others argue that advancements in technology should allow stallholders to manage their businesses remotely.
NEA has stated that it will continue to follow up on the case with the hawker centre’s management, ensuring that the rules are enforced while considering the concerns raised.
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