10 errant massage establishment operators will be charged in court on 10 October 2018 for flouting provisions under the Massage Establishments Act 2017 and Massage Establishments Rules 2018 between March and July 2018, following a series of enforcement operations and investigations by the Central Police Division.
The 10 operators, six men and four women aged between 36 and 74, comprise eight unlicensed massage establishment operators and three licensed massage establishment licensees.
The massage establishments involved are located along North Bridge Road, Coleman Street, Anson Road, Bencoolen Street, Serangoon Road, Havelock Road, Rochor Road, Upper Cross Street, Tanjong Pagar Plaza and King George’s Avenue.
Unlicensed Massage Establishments
Seven unlicensed massage establishment operators will be charged under the Massage Establishments Act 2017. During enforcement checks, vice activities were also detected at four of the eight unlicensed massage establishments.
- The seven operators will be charged with carrying on business of providing massage services in an establishment for massage without a license. Among them, one operator is found to be a repeat offender.
- If found guilty, first time offenders shall be liable to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both.
- If found guilty, repeat offenders shall be liable to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to both.
Licensed Massage Establishments
Three licensed massage establishment licensees will also be charged under the Massage Establishments Act 2017 and Massage Establishment Rules 2018. All three massage establishments were found to have violated the following provisions:
- Employment of individuals to work in the massage establishment without the approval of the Licensing Officer
If found guilty, they shall be liable to a fine not exceeding $5,000, and in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a tern not exceeding 2 years or both.
- Failure to ensure that the particulars of clients were properly recorded before providing any massage services in accordance with Rule 14(a) of the Massage Establishment Rules 2018
If found guilty, they shall be liable to a fine not exceeding $5,000 and where the person is a repeat offender, to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both.
One of three massage establishments was also found to have failed to ensure that employees wear the uniform approved by the Licensing Officer when at work, thereby flouting Rule 11(2) of the Massage Establishments Rules 2018. If found guilty, the licensee shall be liable to a fine not exceeding $5,000 and in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years if both.
The Police take a serious view of anyone found breaking the law and will continue to take tough enforcement stance against such activities.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
09 October 2018 @ 6:25 PM