SINGAPORE: Netizens have criticised the government’s S$10 million grant for improving coffee shop toilet hygiene, arguing that it is the responsibility of coffee shop owners—not taxpayers—to maintain their own facilities.
Many expressed concerns that the initiative would unfairly subsidise profitable business owners.
On 4 March, the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) announced that the government would allocate S$10 million to improve hygiene in coffee shop toilets.
Two separate grants of S$5 million each will support renovations and deep cleaning.
The Coffeeshop Toilet Renovation Grant aims to enhance toilet design, features, and ease of maintenance while encouraging compliance with the Restroom Association (Singapore)’s Happy Toilet Programme certification.
Operators can apply for National Environment Agency (NEA) funding to cover up to 95% of renovation costs, capped at S$50,000 per coffee shop.
The Coffeeshop Toilet Deep Cleaning Grant will fund up to 95% of a two-year deep cleaning contract, capped at S$25,000 per coffee shop.
Successful applicants will also receive complimentary on-site cleaning training for their in-house cleaners.
MSE said more details would be released later this year.
Public Hygiene Concerns Prompt Initiative
MSE cited findings from a nationwide study by Singapore Management University, which reported a decline in the cleanliness of coffee shop toilets over the past year.
Since the mid-2010s, they have consistently ranked below toilets in shopping centres, MRT stations, and hawker centres in hygiene assessments.
During the Committee of Supply debate on 4 March, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and the Environment Baey Yam Keng defended the initiative, stating that it was necessary to improve hygiene, particularly for seniors who may struggle with bladder and bowel control.
Instead of constructing new public toilets, the government is leveraging coffee shops as “natural gathering points” to provide better restroom access for residents.
In 2023, NEA and the Singapore Food Agency intensified inspections on public toilets, conducting nearly 19,000 checks.
These resulted in approximately 1,300 enforcement actions against premises owners or managers who failed to meet cleanliness standards.
Netizens: Owners Should Be Responsible, Not Taxpayers
The announcement has sparked significant backlash, with over 800 comments across Facebook pages of CNA, Mothership, and The Straits Times expressing frustration.
Many questioned why coffee shop owners, who already earn significant profits from rental fees, should receive public funds for maintaining their own properties.
One commenter pointed out, “If they can afford to buy a coffee shop that costs millions, why are we funding their toilet renovation?”
Another echoed this sentiment, arguing that a coffee shop purchased for $40 million should have clean toilets without taxpayers footing the bill.
“Why does the government need to clean their ass when coffee shop owners earn millions every year?” they asked.
Another netizen described the initiative as an abuse of public money, questioning why taxpayer funds were being used for private businesses.
“The owners of the coffee shop should do the upgrading using their own funds because they are running a for-profit business, not a charity organisation,” they argued.
Hygiene Issues Stem from Poor Maintenance
Several netizens argued that the real problem was not the condition of the toilets but the lack of proper maintenance and cleaning.
One user pointed out that most coffee shops are already well built, but the main issue is that they do not have a proper cleaning schedule for their toilets.
They questioned the need for government-funded renovations, arguing that such upgrades would be pointless without regular upkeep.
Another questioned why the government did not recognise that the core issue was regular maintenance.
“No regular cleaning and maintenance also no use even if upgrade to 5 star hotel toilet,” they remarked.
Others emphasised that repeated renovations would not improve hygiene if coffee shop owners failed to uphold cleanliness standards.
“No point renovating the toilet again and again if it’s never maintained or cleaned regularly. That’s the main cause of dirty and unhygienic kopitiam toilet conditions!” a commenter highlighted.
Another user argued that the government seemed unaware of the real issue—lack of cleaners.
They pointed out that even a newly renovated toilet would become filthy within days if not maintained, urging authorities to focus on hiring cleaners rather than wasting money on renovations.
Calls for Penalties Instead of Grants
Some commenters suggested that instead of providing grants, the government should penalise coffee shop owners who neglect hygiene standards.
One proposed that businesses be required to meet cleanliness requirements, with fines imposed for violations.
“The owners of the coffee shop must keep it in good condition. If found guilty, a heavy fine should be imposed, and for a second offence, their licence should be revoked,” they suggested.
Another user questioned whether a task force was necessary to come up with such a solution, arguing that stricter enforcement—such as random checks by NEA officers—would be more effective.
They stated that instead of spending $10 million on grants, the government should focus on imposing fines and revoking the licences of coffee shops with poorly maintained toilets.
One commenter went further, advocating for public shaming as a way to hold owners accountable.
They suggested that coffee shop owners who fail to maintain hygiene should be summoned or have their licences suspended until they take responsibility.
Additionally, they proposed publicly identifying and naming coffee shops with dirty toilets, as strict enforcement was necessary to ensure compliance.
Sanitation Advocate Jack Sim: “A Grave Mistake”
Singaporean entrepreneur and sanitation advocate Associate Professor Jack Sim has criticised the government’s S$10 million grant for coffee shop toilet hygiene, calling it an unsustainable and unjustified use of taxpayers’ money.
Known as “Mr Toilet” for his sanitation advocacy, Sim described the initiative as a “grave mistake” that unfairly subsidises private businesses.
He questioned why public funds were being used to support profit-driven enterprises and whether the government intended to continue such grants indefinitely.
He also accused the government of favouring coffee shop owners over other businesses, pointing out that shopping centres do not receive similar funding.
“If you didn’t give money to shopping centres, why are you giving money to coffee shops?” he asked, suggesting some owners—who are grassroots leaders—were getting preferential treatment.
Instead of grants, Sim urged the government to impose stricter penalties on coffee shop owners who fail to maintain clean toilets.
He called on citizens to voice their concerns, saying, “Everyone, please tell SPS Baey Yam Keng NOT to waste our hard-earned money. They increased GST and taxed us to the bone. They must not do this injustice to us.”
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