Popular ABC Nasi Kandar, Which “Closed” Its Outlets Recently, Under Investigation for Illegal Employment Offences

If you’re a fan of the popular ABC Nasi Kandar, you’ve probably noticed that many of its outlets closed abruptly in recent months. But why?

As it turns out, the eatery is currently under investigation for illegal employment offences. Here’s what you need to know about it.

Sudden “Closures” of Popular ABC Nasi Kandar Outlets

As early as August this year, fans of ABC Nasi Kandar noticed that many of the eatery’s outlets had suddenly closed their doors to the public. For instance, the popular Serangoon Road outlet was wrapped up with the distinctive blue tarpaulin, with its cooking stations bare and stray sauce bottles strewn around.

Another popular ABC Nasi Kandar outlet, located at Desker Road, was also cordoned off with a notice stating: “Thank you for your patience as we revamp this space to serve you better. We look forward to welcoming you through our doors in Q4 2024.”

Perhaps the eatery’s name foreshadowed the outlets’ sudden closure. ABC: All Branches Closed.

MOM: ABC Nasi Kandar Outlets Under Investigation for Illegal Employment Offences 

Many Singaporeans were left confused (and possibly hungry as well) by the outlets’ closures. For months, no clear reasons were given as to the outlets’ sudden closures, aside from vague renovation notices put up at certain outlets and a very unhelpful “Temporarily Closed” status on several branches’ Google Maps descriptors.

However, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has since resolved this “makan mystery“. According to MOM, ABC Nasi Kandar and its personnel are currently under investigation for potential illegal employment offences.

Under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act, employers hiring foreign employees without valid work passes may be fined up to $30,000, jailed for up to 12 months, or both. And this is only for each charge — if an employer racks up multiple charges, the relevant punishment would increase accordingly.

Repeat offenders face a mandatory jail term.

While little is known about the results of the investigation thus far, according to Straits Times, a letter from a law firm Ascentsia Law Corporation was found at the door of ABC’s director’s registered address. Residents in the area also reported that they had not seen the house’s occupants in more than a month.

On the other side of the coin, foreigners working in Singapore without valid work passes may be fined up to $20,000, jailed for up to two years, or both. If convicted, these foreigners may also be barred from working in Singapore.

So, while the rest of us are toiling away trying to find another nasi kandar stall as good as the ABC Nasi Kandar ones, MOM officers will be toiling away to investigate the eatery and its personnel lah.