Survival of our hawker culture

A few days when KF Seetoh highlighted the issues with Canberra SEHC, many were making snide remarks about him being a busybody. But just yesterday, the company running that SEHC reversed the decision for the hawkers to to include budget meals. Everyone should realise that if enough people make a loud enough noise, things can change. Hawker centres serves a crucial cultural and societal need. Many lower income families and elderly depend on them for cheap, delicious food while at the same time hawker food acts as maybe the one remaining force that anchor us to this damn country. The government via NEA should continue to be the ones running hawker centres. Hawker centers should not be run by for profits companies masquerading as social enterprises profiteering from the hawkers squeezed in the middle. By having these companies bid to run hawker centres, we the citizens are the ones paying the raising cost. Already many hawkers have hung up their apron citing increasing costs and old age with no one eager to fill the gap. Additionally lower profit and labour intensive dishes like char kway teow and kway chap are disappearing fast. NEA doesn't care because it's not their job to as these companies see an opportunity to make more money from us while the hawkers are at the mercy of these companies. And we are the ones to suffer with expansive, mediocre or franchised food prepared in a central kitchen There will be the naysayers pointing at the futility of this all with the tired 65% voted for it and all that..This post isn't for you. It's easiest to be negative and complain/ critique from the sidelines. Ironically it is only the citizens that can make the difference. We need people to voice out against more SEHC in our communities and against for profit companies ruining our hawker centres. There are a few ways to do this. Don't patronise the overpriced drink stall/counter at these SEHC which are run by the companies themselves. (because they have the highest profit margins) Raise the raising cost of hawker food in your area to your MPs and that these SEHC are making things worse. If enough people raise it, they will have to discuss it in parliament. (I have already met my MP. ) Edit : if anyone can share links of the relationships of the owners of these social enterprises to either pap cadres or ministers please do. If we can get more reporting done about this, the more the spotlight will be on these owners and companies. Share and keep the discourse alive on social media. Many older hawkers are lower educated and afraid of losing their livelihood not without grounds. Spread the word and patronise good hawker food. If anyone has any other ideas, please share. What is at stake is a future without authentic hawker food but generic, mediocre franchised ones prepared in a central kitchen put together by foreign workers in food courts and million dollar kopitiams.