Govt should seek citizens’ consensus before enforcing new rule that penalise diners for not returning trays after meals

by William Yip Kum Pui

Not returning bowls, plates cutlery & trays, etc. at hawker centres = fine.

Excuse me, is the aforementioned behaviour a crime?

How would our handicapped persons and seniors be treated with regards to this new rule or law? Fine them for flouting this new rule?

Wouldn’t it be better to instill the good practice of returning trays after eating into the minds of people through various campaigns instead?

The Government did this well with the Speak Mandarin Campaign and family planning; but stopped at these two.

Please don’t treat the citizens like soldiers and school students. The citizens are the owners of the country, and the Government is just the managers cum citizens of the country.

To fine a person for flouting the law is reasonable but this should not be a rule. In my opinion, a rule is a guideline for people to follow, while a law is an order of the court that is to be strictly abide by.

Come on, seek the citizens’ consensus first before upgrading this rule into a law.

Finally, does it hurt or cause any grievances if a person does not return his/her own bowls, etc?

What say you?

This is an opinion piece from a member of the public, and does not reflect TOC’s position on any matter.