Former Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) Calvin Cheng's call to 'name and shame' hawkers who only accept cash payments has sparked backlash online.
Former Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) Calvin Cheng’s call to ‘name and shame’ hawkers who only accept cash payments has sparked backlash online. Cheng had posted on Facebook on Feb. 10, expressing frustration at a food court in the CBD where several stalls only accepted cash. He called this practice “shameful” and urged others to boycott such businesses, arguing that it hampers Singapore’s progress as a “smart nation.”
His comments quickly went viral, attracting over 700 replies and 500 shares, with many netizens criticizing his harsh words and lack of compassion. Some users felt Cheng’s judgment of hawkers was too severe, pointing out that many small business owners struggle with narrow profit margins and may not have the resources to adopt digital payment systems.
Despite the criticism, Cheng stood by his stance, even labeling those defending cash payments as “backward villagers.” He maintained that businesses refusing digital payments are an embarrassment to a developed nation like Singapore.
While some supported Cheng’s call for modernization, others emphasized the need for understanding and patience, especially for smaller operators. A few netizens also questioned if Cheng’s outburst was linked to vested interests, given his digital assets company’s recent regulatory approval in Switzerland.
In response to the controversy, Cheng reiterated on Feb. 13 that he will not back down from his position, insisting that “shame and peer pressure” are necessary to drive change in consumer behavior.
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