The Police conducted a series of enforcement operations against vice activities in private residential units, massage establishments and public entertainment outlets between 17 and 20 July 2018.
Seven women aged between 26 and 47 were arrested for offences under the Women’s Charter during the operations against vice activities in private residential units along Balestier Road, Cavenagh Road and Boon Teck Road. One of the seven woman, and another 40-year-old woman, were also arrested for offences under the Immigration Act.
During the enforcement operations against massage establishments along Upper Thomson Road, Macpherson Road, Outram Road, Balestier Road, Orchard Road and Scotts Road, six premises were found to be operating as unlicensed massage establishments. One massage establishment was found to have contravened licensing conditions. A 43-year-old woman was also arrested for suspected drug-related offences.
During the enforcement checks on public entertainment outlets along Tanglin Road, one outlet was found to have contravened licensing conditions. Thirteen women, aged between 19 and 30, were arrested for working without valid work permits under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act. Two of the 13 women, together with another three women were also arrested for appearing nude in public. Another three women were arrested for offences under the Immigration Act.
The Police will continue to take tough enforcement actions against anyone involved in criminal activities. Actions will be taken against apartment owners who allow their premises to be used for vice activities and operators for flouting the rules and regulations under the Public Entertainment Act and Massage Establishment Act.
Operators of unlicensed massage establishments are liable to enhanced penalties under the new Massage Establishment Act. 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 a premises closure order to require an unlicensed massage establishment to be vacated and physically secured; if the operator continues to operate the unlicensed massage establishment, even after he has 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 massage establishment operators from blatantly breaching the law whilst court proceedings against them are still ongoing.
The Police will also take action against landlords who knowingly lease their premises to unlicensed massage establishment operators. The Police will notify the landlord when their tenant has been charged in court for operating an unlicensed massage establishment. After 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 two years, or both. The maximum penalties for subsequent convictions will be doubled or more – a fine of up to $20,000, or imprisonment of up to five years, or both.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
23 July 2018 @ 10:35 PM