PRIVATISATION OF HAWKER CENTRES

Abstract

Privatisation is the buzzword of the 1990s and has become the "in" word throughout the world and Singapore Telecoms, Singapore Broadcasting Corporation and even the all-popular hawker centre will not be left untouched. The concept of privatising hawker centres was first mooted in January 1989 as part of the Ministry of the Environment's (ENV) medium term plans. The proposal to privatise hawker centres is in its final stage of study. The study examines the primary reasons for initiating privatisation of hawker centres and evaluates the economic and social implications thereof, including inter alia its social obligations and responsibility. It also attempts to address the question of timeliness, viability and necessity of privatising hawker centres, in particular Housing and Development Board's (HDB) hawker centres located in HDB Town Centres. The final proposal must not only generate a positive return for the government. In addition, the society as a whole must ultimately benefit from such a move. The 1980s witnessed the emergence and formation of many private food centres all over Singapore. Some prospered, others failed. It is important to study various operational methods, management styles of food centres, and understand their characteristics to enable future privatised hawker centres to be competitive and to be able to provide the same high quality of food and services which many have come to expect from private food centres. The framework for eventual control, operation and management of hawker centres must be critically scrutinized before Implementation to ensure the highest probability of success.