Social media marketing Facebook page SMRT Feedback by The Vigilanteh posted a meme post about foodie-consultant KF Seetoh of Makansutra fame:

The post, written with a first-person perspective, was published on Monday afternoon, Oct. 15.

It read:

"I think hawkers should not pay for customers to return their trays.

But at the same time, Seetoh shouldn't ride the high-horse to protest hawker rentals when he himself is charging exorbitant rates, like $10,000 per month.

Not only that, when I go to NTUC foodfare, I see Singaporean elderly cleaners. At Seetoh's 12 outlets, I see cooks, cashiers and cleaners all PRC.

And also Seetoh, what's this we hear that some hawkers have to pay up to $30K for renovation works?

If you want to protest, make sure your own backyard got very high fence."

This post appears to be in response to the ongoing debate on so-called not-for-profit social enterprise hawker centres and the escalating fees they have been charging hawkers, a topic highlighted by Seetoh in the past few months.

Strident debate in comments

The post triggered strident debate in the comments section, with several backing SMRT (Feedback) up and others disagreeing.

These folks agreed:

But there were a number of others who found problems with his post.

On the point of hiring local cleaners

Here's an exchange between SMRT (Feedback) and a commenter:

One commenter who claims to run a stall at a social enterprise hawker centre had this to say, though:

Besides this factual issue, another commenter had this to say in response:

[related_story]

Questionable comparison

But a larger issue most people appear to have was with the comparison SMRT (Feedback) chose to make, between KF Seetoh's Gluttons Bay hawker-style establishment behind the Esplanade and social enterprise hawker centres.

For one thing, there's the issue of the target audience:

And then there is also the question of why was Gluttons Bay dragged into the picture when there's also Marina Bay Sands's food court:

But perhaps, most importantly, some pointed out that it's the nature of his business that's important:

One commenter also called out SMRT (Feedback)'s decision to attack KF Seetoh in this manner:

Enter the economist

But perhaps the clincher of all these arguments comes from Singaporean economist and public intellectual Donald Low who decided to enter the fray.

In his Facebook post, Low made the following salient points:

1) Seetoh has never tried to market Gluttons Bay as anything other than an upscale food court

Low draws a similarity between this and large brand food chains that expand to central, city areas, which would inevitably charge more for their offerings than their similar presences in heartland locations.

He also points out the fact that Seetoh has always campaigned for Singaporeans to be prepared to pay more for hawker food for it to be sustainable, a point that is "entirely consistent" with the high prices charged at Gluttons Bay.

2) The issue with social enterprise hawker centres right now is unethical business practice

Low notes that it it must take a "special kind of stupidity" to equate high prices (that are seen at Gluttons Bay) with unethical business practices, which is what the owners of social enterprise hawker centres are accused of allegedly engaging in.

Some examples, in case you haven't been acquainted with the ongoing debate, include hidden compulsory fees like 20 cents charges for customer tray return, "inspection" fees, cashless payment system fees, coin changing services and "concept and marketing" fees too.

"There’s nothing unethical about high prices as such; consumers can always vote with their feet. Business practices that prey on those with less bargaining power are a different kettle of fish—all the more so if the perpetrators claim to be serving a social mission."

He also makes a final point on hiring local cleaners, which he notes should not be in itself laudable, unless they are being paid more than the market rate.

You can read his post in full here:

For more on the whole issue with social enterprise hawker centres:

Top photo adapted via SMRT (Feedback), Donald Low's Facebook page