I support the practice of self-clearing of cutlery by diners but for the government to legislate and fine those who don’t self-clear after the initial leniency period is too me, over the top. It is an abuse of their power and bullying of our meek, unthinking and well- conditioned citizens. I would have no issue if they choose to embark on public education and appeal to the public to co-operate but to resort to fine people so expeditiously, that cannot be acceptable. Let me explain.
When paid contractors are not providing satisfactory services either because they cut corners on manpower, unable to find workers because of the low salary that they offer or simply because of their low productivity etc, then the government should hold them accountable accordingly and not take it out on diners. After all, the prices that diners pay to hawkers for their food alearly include the clearing and cleaning fees that hawkers pay those cleaning contractors....
Simon Lim posted this in TRE arguing that this is a matter of principle when small matters are being criminalised by the govt. Littering and chewing gums are crimes as they dirty the streets and of course became a very expensive social habit. In the case of clearing your plates after eating, when the clearing and cleaning of tables are part and parcel of the service provided by the hawkers, should this become a crime?
Simon Lim has an important point to make. The govt must not be allowed to make everything a crime, like pofma, as and when it likes it. Stretching the clearing of plates and cleaning of tables after eating, incidentally, leaving the table messy and dirty is also a crime. Next time they could make it a law to bring your own bowls and plates, if not it is a also crime. The possibilities is endless. Bring your own basket or bags when shopping in the supermarket or else it is a crime? Where would all these end?
Is this a democracy or a totalitarian state? Or is it that after a while the daft citizens would get use to it, like paying millions to politicians, to do what? What is so difficult or important when many are plainly administrative jobs, unproductive, that hiring an admin manager at a tenth of the price would also get the job done, and done very well or be fired?
What do you think? The direction we are heading is getting hazy and creepy.


The above are the evil records of the white men when they invaded the countries of the world. And everyday today, they fabricating lies about other countries of such crimes. They think by pointing the fingers at others, no one will remember or talk about their wickedness and their cruel genocides and oppression against the people of the world.