USE OF DISPOSABLE CROCKERY AT HAWKER CENTRES

Dr Wong Kwei Cheong asked the Minister for the Environment (a) which hawker centres are currently required to use disposable utensils; (b) whether it is compulsory for hawkers at such centres to use disposable utensils; and (c) which other hawker centres will be required to use disposable utensils over the next twelve months.

The Minister for the Environment (Dr Ahmad Mattar): Mr Speaker, Sir, currently 15 hawker centres are using disposable crockery as part of a pilot project of my Ministry to improve the standards of hygiene and cleanliness in hawker centres. The pilot project was completed last year.

In view of the many complaints received from both hawkers and their customers, the Government has re-considered the proposal to require hawkers to use disposable crockery.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the Government has no intention of interfering with market demands and consumer preferences so long as standards of public health are maintained. My Ministry will, therefore, not compel hawkers to use disposable crockery. However, Sir, in hawker centres where the turnover is high, we will encourage hawkers to have disposable crockery available so that customers who prefer to use them may do so.