NEA: Ghim Moh hawkers can continue operating at centre

We agree with food editor Tan Hsueh Yun that hawker centres are an important focal point of community life in Singapore ("Keep my chye tow kueh in Ghim Moh"; last Thursday).

Therefore, the National Environment Agency (NEA) will ensure that hawker centres continue to remain a source of affordable and good food.

We are also building new hawker centres.

The NEA had assured the stall owners at the Block 20 Ghim Moh Road market and food centre that they can continue to operate there, even after their leases expire on May 31 next year.

The former subsidised stallholders will be re-instated to the subsidised rental scheme, while non-subsidised stallholders will have the option of continuing to operate their stalls at the prevailing market rental prices.

These privileges will apply to registered owners of the stalls as of May 31 next year.

The NEA had also informed the stall owners that any application for transfers should be done at least three months before the expiry of the lease, to facilitate processing of the application.

The Ghim Moh Road market and food centre is scheduled to be closed from May 31 next year for improvement works.

The hawkers' association and grassroots organisations are studying the feasibility of building a temporary market to ensure continuity, and the NEA will facilitate this process.

Richard Tan
Director, Hawker Centres Division
National Environment Agency

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