“How many can afford?” – Photo of Chan Chun Sing having hearty wanton mee meal sparks cost-of-living concerns

SINGAPORE: Instead of endearing the politician to the masses, a recent photo of Education Minister Chan Chun Sing enjoying a hearty meal at a hawker centre has sparked questions on how many Singaporeans can enjoy such a “luxurious” spread, given the cost-of-living squeeze.

Referring to a recent Straits Times article on how politicians use hawker food to connect with voters and seem in-touch with ordinary Singaporeans, Mr Chan took to Facebook on Saturday (12 Apr) and posted a photo of himself having a “full wanton mee breakfast” at Tanjong Pagar Plaza Market & Food Centre. He added, “We take our food and politics very seriously.”

While some online praised the Minister for how “humble” he seemed, others noted that his meal might have cost more than what they could afford.

One commenter asked, “Frankly speaking, how many ppl can afford to eat such signature dish combo. Mee pok with extra topping and a bowl of signature prawn dumpling. My personal view only.”

Another netizen quipped, “Wa. $18 wonton mee. Kay liao..”

Some even dubbed the meal a “luxury” one. A commenter said, “How many Singaporeans will eat so much food luxury every meal ????”

The reactions to Mr Chan’s post, interestingly, appear to prove the point the Straits Times article was making. Singapore politicians, especially those from the ruling party whose high pay some feel leaves them out-of-touch with the ground, appear to use local hawker fare as a bridging tool to connect with voters and appear relatable.

The article notes that while politicians’ social media posts featuring local meals could help show they are “one of the people,” the impact of these posts depends on how genuine they seem. Overly staged or obviously timed posts—especially around elections—risk being seen as opportunistic or “trying too hard.”

While some commenters indeed questioned the timing of Mr Chan’s post, with an election expected perhaps as soon as next month, the question of affordability that is being aimed at the Minister suggests the make-or-break issue this election season will be the rising cost of living. It is perhaps unlikely that any social media food post, no matter how humble, will distract from this key issue as Singaporeans head to the polls.