Tag Archives: Wet Markets

I AM a Pasir Ris resident and I am disappointed that the Elias Road wet market cannot be converted into an air-conditioned Sheng Siong supermarket (‘HDB to Sheng Siong: 6 wet markets must stay‘, last Saturday).

My family shops regularly for fresh seafood and vegetables at the Sheng Siong outlet in Bedok Reservoir. It is open almost round the clock. The wet market, on the other hand, operates only in the morning. As a busy working mother, I do my marketing only in the afternoon or evening.

We find Sheng Siong’s pricing reasonable and its products good value for money. Best of all, it offers live seafood at economical prices. As I am not well versed in selecting seafood, I find buying the product live the best way to ensure quality. The wet market does not offer much variety and quantity of live seafood. Moreover, the quality of seafood there is not consistent, especially in Singapore’s warm climate.

The air-conditioning in supermarkets keeps vegetables and other products fresher. It is also more comfortable shopping in an air-conditioned environment. Continue reading →

KUDOS to the Housing Board for coming out to say that the six wet markets Sheng Siong plans to acquire must stay (‘HDB to Sheng Siong: 6 wet markets must stay‘, last Saturday). I hope the other two wet markets slated for closure receive the same verdict.

The signal to big supermarket players is clear: They can expand but the authorities will not forsake the current wet markets that serve residents.

Over the past 60 years, the authorities have improved wet market facilities. They should continue to make them more comfortable for shopping, with better amenities. The HDB should also build more wet markets to balance social needs while preserving our valuable cultural heritage.

Interviews with stallholders and residents on television speak volumes of the special place wet markets have in their hearts, something air-conditioned supermarkets cannot replicate. Continue reading →