Singapore: A group of elderly men has reportedly been eating leftovers at in People’s Park Food Centre, as reported by Shin Min Daily News on Wednesday (18 September).

According to tips from readers, these elderly men have been spotted scavenging for food at the bustling food centre in Chinatown.

Witnesses noted that they not only take unfinished meals from tables but also search the dish return area for additional leftovers.

Several hawkers reported seeing multiple elderly individuals, including one specific man, frequently visiting the food centre to collect leftovers, although they were unaware of their identities and living situations.

A Chinese food hawker, who has worked there for over ten years, noted that at least three or four scavengers come daily, usually around 8 or 9 PM, and sometimes kind customers buy food for them.

Another stall assistant, Ms Ma, observed that diners often leave their tables, allowing the older man to sit down and eat the leftovers directly.

Cleaner Mr Quan mentioned that while he has seen the man taking food left by others, he has also witnessed him buying his own meals, suggesting he is not in dire financial need.

Additionally, Quan noted that these scavengers typically arrive around 10 AM and leave in the afternoon.

One Elderly Man Interviewed Attributes Leftover Eating Habit to Waste Prevention, Not Financial Struggles

Among the scavengers is Mr Wang, an 84-year-old resident of Bedok, who emphasised that he doesn’t want to waste food.

He told reporter, “I have a home and children, but it’s very lively here, so I come every day and go home in the evening.”

He acknowledged his habit of eating leftovers, stating, “It’s not because I lack money; I simply don’t want to waste food.”

He explained, “Some people order a lot and can’t finish it; sometimes a whole fish is left uneaten. ”

“When I see large plates of leftover food, I think it’s a waste, so I take it to eat, and it’s still warm,” he said, adding that other scavengers respect each other’s space and enjoy their own finds.

Not everyone supports the practice of scavenging for leftovers. Daniel Tay, a retired financial advisor and advocate for freeganism, expressed concerns about the potential dangers of consuming discarded food.

He pointed out that it’s often unclear how long the food has been left out or if it has been contaminated by animals or pests, which could lead to food poisoning.

“It’s extremely unhygienic. Diners might throw away food or toss used napkins into it, contaminating it further. If a diner gets sick, such as with the flu or COVID-19, they could pass the virus to someone eating the leftovers,” he warned.

Tay suggested a more proactive approach, encouraging people to ask diners if they can take home any uneaten food, which would help ensure the food is clean and raise awareness about food waste.

Netizens Urge Agencies to Address Challenges Faced by Elderly Amid Rising Living Costs

Comments on Shin Min’s Facebook page reveal that many netizens suspect the elderly men scavenging for food may be facing significant challenges and are urging relevant agencies to reach out to understand their situations.

Some are questioning whether the rising cost of living in Singapore is prompting individuals to resort to drastic measures to save money.

One netizen commented, “Every family has its own difficulties; who hasn’t faced storms and hardships? If you see an elderly person, please invite him to a meal. After all, we will all grow old one day. Whether it’s a blessing or a curse, only heaven and earth know. I believe that Singaporeans who see him will definitely invite him to a meal.”

Discussion on Singapore’s Hardwarezone forum also highlighted that many have witnessed similar situations, indicating that this issue is not new.

One netizen speculated that some elderly individuals might be facing mental health challenges. The user shared observation of an elderly woman in Little India who regularly collects cardboard and sells 4D lottery tickets. Despite receiving money from passersby, she continues her activities.

Another user recounted an experience of seeing an elderly woman eating directly from leftover plates and offered to buy her a plate of duck rice.

However, the hawker advised that it would be pointless, as the woman allegedly prefers eating leftovers to fresh food. The netizen expressed pity for her situation, noting that other customers had also tried to buy her a meal.

Not the First Time Elderly Individuals Spotted Scavenging for Leftovers at People’s Park Food Centre

This is not the first time elderly individuals have been spotted eating leftover food at People’s Park Food Centre.

In November 2022, 8World News reported that at least seven elderly people allegedly engage in such practice regularly at the hawker centre. These individuals typically search for unfinished food left on tables or at the tray return area.

At that time, in response to inquiries from 8World News, the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) stated that they were collaborating with grassroots volunteers and hawkers to identify these elderly individuals and provide assistance if needed.

MSF encourages the public to report any elderly individuals in need of help by calling 1800-222-0000 or connecting them with local social service agencies through the OneService App.

SINGAPORE: Last Tuesday (10 September), a fire broke out in a one-bedroom HDB flat located on the ninth floor of Block 104, Bukit Merah.

The blaze was reportedly started by a three-year-old boy who had been left unattended.

The fire, which originated from a mattress ignited with a lighter, caused significant damage to the unit and affected surrounding areas.

In response to the incident, TikTok user @something4rsomeone launched a fundraising appeal on September 14 to support the affected family.

Within just four days, the appeal successfully raised over S$4,000.

An accompanying video captured the TikToker delivering the funds in cash to Mr Liu, the head of the affected family.

Mr Liu, who lives with his wife and three children, expressed his gratitude for the public’s support.

He shared that the family has relocated to temporary accommodation and has received sufficient donations to manage their immediate needs.

However, he noted that they are still expecting more items to be delivered and took the opportunity to thank everyone for their “concern, love, and donations.”

The fundraising effort will continue until 20 September, at 11:59 pm.

Donations can be made via the PayLah/PayNow QR code available on @something4rsomeone’s TikTok page.

Any proceeds received after the deadline will be used for future charitable activities under the same account.

@something4rsomeone

UNCLE LIU (Part 3) UPDATE ❤️ How are you and family? We are doing alright easing into our new home. We have received much help. How is your new home and are there any other items you need? We have enough for now. Many people have donated and there are still more items on delivery. Are you going back to your old place once it is refurbished? No. We will not be going back. We will stay in our new home from now on. Mr Liu would like to thank everyone for their concern, love and donations. It will help them a lot to recooperate after the incident. We also told Mr Liu to let us know if he ever needs any sort of help or other extra items, the community are ready to assist. Just give us a text/call. As many if you would like to donate items, we are trying to organise a donation drive for the low income communities in the area. You can make a difference. We will keep you updated. More than $4000 was raise during the first batch of fundraising. The final batch of fundraising for Mr Liu is still ongoing. Although Mr Liu has paynow, he has difficulty using it, hence he has allowed us to collect on his behalf. All proceeds will go to him directly during this period and everything will be accounted for. (Link in bio) We will end our final collection on *Friday 20th September 2024 (23:59)*. Everything after the cut-off time will be used as donations under this page. Thank you Singapore, for doing something for someone.

♬ Jaithep Raroengjai_Grandma Home – Ganee

‘True Kampung spirit’

According to earlier report from Shin Min Daily News, Mr Liu and his wife were at work when the fire started, leaving their two sons, aged three and nine, at home.

A friend was supposed to supervise the children but left them unattended for unknown reasons.

The older son, who was playing mobile games, did not notice the fire initially but acted quickly to get his younger brother to safety and alert the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).

SCDF firefighters promptly extinguished the fire, which had spread from the bedroom, and evacuated about 35 residents from the building.

Smoke from the fire caused visibility issues in the corridor, prompting police and SCDF personnel to assist elderly and disabled residents to safety. Six individuals were hospitalized for smoke inhalation.

The fire caused extensive damage to Mr Liu’s flat, including the destruction of personal belongings and electronics.

Concerns raised over Mr Liu’s S$2,000 household income

The family faces the challenge of replacing these items while managing their daily expenses.

Mr Liu, a cleaner, and his wife, a food stall assistant, have a combined monthly income of just over S$2,000.

Their 11-year-old daughter, who returned home later in the day, was devastated to find her belongings destroyed.

Despite the overwhelming losses, Mr Liu emphasized that the safety of his children remains his top priority.

Notably, some Singaporeans have raised concerns about Mr Liu’s family’s income, which is just over S$2,000, questioning whether it is sufficient for them to cope with the rising cost of living in the city-state.

Daniel Yap, former publisher of the socio-political news site The Middle Ground, pointed out that Singapore has yet to establish a minimum wage or define a poverty line.

PAP MP rejects Jamus Lim’s proposal for official poverty line

In a Parliamentary speech in April last year, Workers’ Party MP for Sengkang GRC, Associate Professor Jamus Lim, renewed his call for Singapore to establish an official poverty line, arguing that it should address more than just basic needs like housing, food, and clothing.

Assoc Prof Lim pointed out that as a country becomes wealthier, what is considered a basic need evolves. He highlighted the distinction between the “absolute minimum” and what is necessary to fully participate in society.

For example, while some may view smartphones and tuition as “unnecessary perks,” Assoc Prof Lim emphasized that many Singaporeans struggle to access essential government services or succeed in school without them.

In addition to proposing a poverty line, Assoc Prof Lim suggested refining existing assistance schemes, such as ComCare and the Workfare Income Supplement (WIS), arguing that they do not adequately support lower-income individuals.

However, National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) Assistant Secretary-General Desmond Choo, also a People’s Action Party MP, dismissed Dr Lim’s proposal, citing the “inherent problems” of a single poverty line.

He warned that it could create an “unintended cliff effect,” excluding those who are financially needy but have incomes slightly above the threshold.

Choo further noted that a poverty line could overlook other challenges faced by needy families, such as difficult family circumstances, poor health, and job readiness.

Responding to Dr Lim’s criticism of the complex processes for accessing government assistance, Choo acknowledged the need for assessments to ensure responsible use of public resources and to properly allocate aid. However, he agreed that efforts could be made to simplify these processes while maintaining the focus on the effectiveness of the schemes.