Following a series of enforcement operations between January and February 2019, and through investigations by officers from Central Police Division, six errant massage establishment operators will be charged in court on 27 May 2019 for flouting provisions under the Massage Establishments Act 2017 and Massage Establishments Rules 2018.
The six massage establishments, five unlicensed and one licensed, were operated by three men and three women, aged between 36 and 49.
The massage establishments involved are located along Jalan Besar, Jalan Sultan, Beach Road, North Bridge Road and within shopping centres such as the Golden Mile Complex and People’s Park Centre.
Unlicensed Massage Establishments
Five unlicensed massage establishment operators will be charged under the Massage Establishments Act 2017. During the enforcement operation, vice activities were detected at three of the five unlicensed massage establishments.
• The five operators will be charged with carrying on the business of providing massage services in an establishment for massage without a licence. Four of the five operators who are 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.
• The remaining operator is found to be repeat offender. If found guilty, the said operator shall be liable to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to both. The operator will also be charged with an additional offence of employing a foreigner to work, without a valid work pass. If found guilty, the operator shall be liable to a fine of not less than $5,000 and not more than $30,000 or to imprisonment for a tern not exceeding 12 months or to both.
Licensed Massage Establishments
One licensed massage establishment licensee will also be charged under the Massage Establishments Rules 2018. The massage establishment was found to have violated Rule 12(1)(a), for failing to ensure that every employee of the licensee must not, in the course of the individual’s employment at the establishment for massage, provide any sexual service to any other individual in the establishment for massage. 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 tern not exceeding 2 years or both.
The Police takes a serious view of anyone found breaking the law and will continue to take tough enforcement stance against such activities.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
26 May 2019 @ 5:40 PM