The Police continue to step up our enforcement efforts against errant massage establishment (MEs) operators following the introduction of the new Massage Establishments Act (MEA) on 1 March 2018.
In an enforcement operation held on 9 May 2018, Tanglin Police Division conducted checks on nine MEs located along Upper Thomson Road, Balestier Road, Scotts Road and Orchard Road. Four MEs were found to be operating without a valid license. Actions will be taken against the operators under the Massage Establishment Act (MEA). Police investigations are ongoing.
The Police will continue to take tough enforcement action against unlicensed as well as errant licensed MEs.
Operators of unlicensed MEs are liable for the enhanced penalties under the new MEA. If convicted, first time offenders may face a fine of up to $10,000, or imprisonment of up to 2 years, or both. For repeat offenders, they will be liable to a fine of up to $20,000, or imprisonment of up to 5 years, or both.
The Police may also issue the premises closure order to require an unlicensed ME to be vacated and physically secured, if the operator continues to operate the unlicensed ME even after he had been charged in court. If the order is not complied with, the Police are empowered to take necessary steps and use reasonable force to enforce the closure of the premises.
Anyone who breaches the order may face a maximum fine of $15,000, or imprisonment of up to 3 years, or both. These orders will prevent recalcitrant unlicensed ME operators from blatantly breaching the law while court proceedings against them are ongoing.
The Police will also take action against landlords who knowingly lease their premises to unlicensed ME operators. The Police will notify the landlord when their tenant has been charged in court for operating an unlicensed ME. Following the conviction of the tenant, the landlord must require the tenant to hand over possession of the premises within a month.
Landlords who fail to do so, will be liable, if convicted, to a fine of up to $10,000, or imprisonment of up to 2 years, or both. For repeat offenders, they will be liable to a fine of up to $20,000, or imprisonment of up to 5 years, or both.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
11 May 2018 @ 5:05 PM