Issue of post-AGM treat: 'Bento' sets a practical solution

THE issue of what kind of a treat should follow annual general meetings (AGMs) of shareholders of listed companies remains unresolved.

In the past, companies would commonly lay out buffet spreads. They could be made up of simple, catered meals on industrial premises or lavish spreads in five-star hotels. Either way, some bad hats would rush for the food and cart away quite a lot of it even before the AGMs ended. Such behaviour left a bad taste in the mouth for many.

In recent years, companies have unthinkingly turned to issuing cash vouchers upon registration, instead of offering food at the end of meetings. This has backfired in a big way. Many small shareholders are now turning up in large numbers just to collect the S$20 angpows being given away to each shareholder. Some do not even stay for the meeting to start; they collect the vouchers and then head for the next AGM where there is another voucher to be collected.