 |  | The NEA action yesterday caps an episode that has drawn much attention since it was first reported on Tuesday that six Americans were charged $491 for a meal which included eight tiger prawns, some crabs, half a steamed chicken and a few bottles of beer. --ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE |
Now, Tanglin Best BBQ Seafood will pay the price: It must shut down for three months from April 1, and the worker who served the Americans cannot work there for one year.
This is the stiffest punishment given by the National Environment Agency (NEA) in five years to a hawker who overcharged.
In 2004, a seafood hawker at Newton was suspended for a month, and his assistant barred from working for a year.
The NEA action yesterday caps an episode that has drawn much attention since it was first reported on Tuesday that six Americans were charged $491 for a meal which included eight tiger prawns, some crabs, half a steamed chicken and a few bottles of beer.
At the centre of the dispute was the bill for the prawns, which came to $239 - about $30 apiece.
The tourists complained to the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and the NEA took up the case.
It interviewed one of the Americans, Mr Michael Rigby, 30, and also spoke to the stall owner and his assistant before handing down its judgment.
Mr Rigby returned to the United States on Tuesday. If his group wants to seek compensation, they will have to go to the Small Claims Tribunal, and the STB will act on their behalf.
Contacted last night, he was gratified to learn that the matter had been resolved. 'It is heartening that the authorities took this matter very seriously,' he said. 'A few rotten apples won't stop me from going back to Singapore, but it's unlikely I'll go back to Newton.'
Well done, they deserved it!
is this true?
Of course, why?