The Police are investigating 187 persons following island-wide enforcement checks on 103 public entertainment and nightlife outlets conducted between 12 December 2021 and 23 January 2022.
The operators of 16 licensed public entertainment, unlicensed public entertainment and nightlife outlets were found to have committed various breaches under the Public Entertainments Act, the Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act 2015 and the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020. The 188 persons being investigated comprise of operators, staff and customers. Police investigations are ongoing.
The details of three public entertainment outlets found operating without a licence during Police enforcement operations are appended below:
- For the first incident, on 18 December 2021, officers from Bedok Police Division conducted an operation at an office-cum-industrial building located along Lorong 23 Geylang and detected 37 men and 12 women, aged between 21 and 42, gathered in an unlicensed ‘KTV-concept’ outlet. Private rooms were allegedly provided within the unit, with each equipped with a karaoke system, speakers and microphones. Liquor was also allegedly provided to patrons. Amongst the 49 persons, two men, aged between 29 and 32, were identified as the operators of the unit and were arrested for the supply of liquor without a licence under the Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act 2015, for working without a valid work permit under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act, and will be investigated under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020 for failing to ensure the closure of a non-permitted enterprise. In addition, two Vietnamese women, aged between 22 and 28, who were allegedly found to be providing hostessing services, were arrested for working without a valid work permit under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act. During checks on one of the patrons, a 37-year-old man purportedly turned aggressive and hurled vulgarities against Police officers. He was arrested for using abusive words against a public servant under the Protection from Harassment Act. The 35 men and 10 women, who were patrons at the unit, will be investigated under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020 for being a part of a social gathering which exceeds the prescribed limit of five persons.
- For the second incident, on 31 December 2021, officers from Bedok Police Division conducted an operation at a shop-house unit located along Geylang Road and detected 21 men and 19 women, aged between 27 to 63, gathered in an unlicensed ‘KTV-concept’ outlet. Private rooms were allegedly provided within the unit, with each equipped with a karaoke system, speakers and microphones. Liquor was also allegedly provided to patrons in each room. Amongst the 40 persons, two men and two women, aged between 27 and 44, were identified as the purported operators of the unit and were arrested for supplying liquor without a valid licence under the Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act 2015 and will be investigated under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020 for failing to ensure the closure of a non-permitted enterprise. The 19 men and 17 women, who were patrons at the unit, will be investigated under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020 for being a part of a social gathering which exceeds the prescribed limit of five persons.
- For the third incident, on 7 January 2022, officers from Central Police Division conducted an operation at a private residential unit along Beng Wan Road and detected seven men and three women, aged between 20 and 47, gathered for a dinner-cum-sing along session in the unit. Amongst the 10 persons, a 28-year-old man was identified to be the unit’s owner. Preliminary investigations revealed that the unit was used by the man, allegedly to run a commercial F&B operation with the provision of public entertainment, and he had operated his business without the required licences. The food was believed to have been prepared by staff employed by him and sold as part of a private dining package along with the provision of karaoke equipment. The owner will be investigated for offences under the Public Entertainments Act 1958, the Environmental Public Health Act 1987 and the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020 for failing to ensure the closure of a non-permitted enterprise. The remaining six men and three women will be investigated under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020 for being a part of a social gathering which exceeds the prescribed limit of five persons.
Individuals found guilty of using abusive words against a public servant, punishable under Section 6(3) of the Protection from Harassment Act, are liable for a fine not exceeding $5,000, an imprisonment term not exceeding 12 months, or both.
The offences of supplying liquor without a valid licence and providing public entertainment without a valid licence, each carries a fine of up to $20,000. For non-compliance with safe distancing measures under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020, individuals found guilty may be jailed for up to six months, fined up to S$10,000, or both.
The Police will continue to carry out regular enforcement checks on public entertainment and nightlife outlets to suppress illicit activities. Members of the public and businesses are advised to take the prevailing safe management measures seriously. The Police have zero tolerance for irresponsible behavior relating to the flouting of these measures and offenders will be dealt with firmly in accordance with the law.
UNLICENSED ‘KTV-CONCEPT’ ALONG LORONG 23 GEYLANG
UNLICENSED ‘KTV-CONCEPT’ ALONG GEYLANG ROAD
LANDED UNIT WITH UNLICENSED KTV AT BENG WAN ROAD
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
28 January 2022 @ 6:05 PM