Hawkers after Independence

During Singapore’s colonial period and the early years of independence, the idea of enjoying a meal in clean hawker centres was unheard of. People usually ate by the roadside, often using dirty utensils in unhygienic conditions. The transformation into today’s hawker culture – where meals are enjoyed in centralised, clean, and organised spaces – came about through decades of effort and collaboration between the government and hawkers. This section explores this symbiotic relationship, highlighting the regulations, measures, and compromises made by both sides.

Licensing Hawkers

Following independence, the government tackled the hawker issue through measures like the 1966 Hawkers’ Code, which introduced licensing regulations and restricted hawking in congested areas. Licensed hawkers were relocated to less busy sites, while a special squad conducted raids to remove illegal vendors, encouraging able-bodied individuals to seek alternative employment.



In the years following independence, the government’s efforts to tackle the hawker issue were spearheaded by Minister for Health Yong Nyuk Lin. Recognising that there was an urgent need to resolve the issue, Yong announced in December 1965 that the first step was to register all hawkers. In March 1966, the Ministry of Health (MOH) introduced the Hawkers’ Code. Under the code, only Singaporeans could obtain a hawker licence, and hawkers were prohibited from operating on busy streets, in daytime car parks, near bus stops, schools, or other public buildings. The MOH’s Hawkers Department conducted the registration over a period of time, and by 1969, the number of registered hawkers stood at around 24,000, much lower than the initial estimate. (Image Credit: Courtesy of National Archives of Singapore)

In the years following independence, the government’s efforts to tackle the hawker issue were spearheaded by Minister for Health Yong Nyuk Lin. Recognising that there was an urgent need to resolve the issue, Yong announced in December 1965 that the first step was to register all hawkers. In March 1966, the Ministry of Health (MOH) introduced the Hawkers’ Code. Under the code, only Singaporeans could obtain a hawker licence, and hawkers were prohibited from operating on busy streets, in daytime car parks, near bus stops, schools, or other public buildings. The MOH’s Hawkers Department conducted the registration over a period of time, and by 1969, the number of registered hawkers stood at around 24,000, much lower than the initial estimate. (Image Credit: Courtesy of National Archives of Singapore)