12 errant massage establishment operators will be charged in court on 15 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 12 operators, seven men and five women aged between 29 and 62, comprise nine unlicensed massage establishment operators and three licensed massage establishment licensees.
The massage establishments involved are located along Upper Cross Street, Park Road, Rochor Road, Kitchener Road, South Bridge Road, Beach Road, North Bridge Road, Sago Lane, Tras Street and Cavan Road, and within shopping centres such as the Golden Mile Complex, Fu Lu Shou Complex, People’s Park Complex and People’s Park Centre.
Unlicensed Massage Establishments
Nine unlicensed massage establishment operators will be charged under the Massage Establishments Act 2017. During the enforcement operation, vice activities were detected at four of the eight unlicensed massage establishments.
- Seven of the operators will be charged with carrying on the business of providing massage services in an establishment for massage without a license. One of the seven operators will face an additional offence of advertising the said unlicensed massage establishment. If found guilty, they shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both.
- The two other operators are found to be repeat offenders. If found guilty, they shall be liable on conviction 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 Rule 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.
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
12 October 2018 @ 5:00 PM