In a busy hawker center in the eastern heartlands of Singapore, an enterprising hawker has been inspired by the latest news on how public transport companies SBS and SMRT are seeking an increase in fare prices.
As Mr Kong Chiao Wei sat near his busy Chai Tao Kuay (white carrot cake) stall, watching his talented foreign staff cooking and serving his customers, he began to elaborate on his latest business expansion plans.
“My carrot cake is very famous one you know, people come all the way from Woodlands to eat my food. See how they line up just to order from my staff at Chateau Quay (pronounced Chai Tao Kuay)? I tell you ah, they have to wait very long and even though, they have to self-service, they will still eat here lor.
“But I want to improve my service by making my stall look nicer, and also open one more stall in Woodlands to serve my faithful customers there. So I will be increasing my prices; to help my customers. It is justifiable lah, even though I make more money, my costs will increase lor, with additional stall, means I got more costs leh. I need to hire more staff, pay rental for the new stall and also got so many other extra costs like renovating my new stall.”
Mr Kong feels that the increase will help him serve his customers better, who have enjoyed his food for years. “Last time in 2008, I increase price only by 50cts, but I give back to my customers you know? Cos I put out a bigger pot of chilli for them to put on my Chai Tao Kuay.”
The question remained as to how customers in this area will benefit from the higher prices. But Mr Kong was certain it is for their own good. “You see ah, SMRT build more lines to serve Singaporeans right? Those people who only take the old line from East to West will still need to pay more, even though they don’t need those new lines. But this is actually because SMRT is so service and public minded, and they give them the chance to go other places that they don’t need to, and so paying a bit more for their usual same trip is worth it lah.
“They buy new buses or what train, is the same as me buying new and nicer cooking utensils to cook my Chai Tao Kuay, that’s why I believe raising my prices is right and good for everyone. My new BMW also faster than my 2-year-old Mercedes, so I can come here earlier to open my stall for my customers, you know.
"By the way, I’m also upgrading from my condominium to a landed property. I feel good about this expansion and I know my food surely taste better when I am feeling happier. My customers will love it.”
As Mr Kong excused himself to join his friends for a beer, I asked a customer how happy he was with Mr Kong’s latest proposals to increase his stall’s prices.
Mr Chin Too Lan replied, “KNNBCCB understand? Lim peh (referring to himself) can don’t eat this silang chai tao kuay and start eating chap chai png (economical rice with dishes) liao. KNN simi increase price here because he got new stalls in other place. Singapore only got one train and bus company, I got no choice, if they give some CB reason to increase their own pocket money. Pay and pay and probably still wait and wait just to squeeze like sardine marinated in people's sweat. #%&@ lah, forget it, now I got no more appetite.”
As Mr Chin walked away, he asked to convey to Mr Kong a suggestion that he should go develop sexual relations with a dog.
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