Tanglin Police Division conducted enforcement operations against unlicensed massage establishments and public entertainment outlets located along Upper Thomson Road, Balestier Road and Orchard Road, on 5 December 2019.
During the enforcement operations, five women, aged between 25 and 33, were arrested for offences under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act. Three premises were found to be operating without a valid massage establishment licence. Two public entertainment outlets were also found to have contravened public entertainment licensing conditions.
Action will be taken against the operators for flouting the rules and regulations under the Public Entertainment Act and Massage Establishment Act (MEA). Operators of unlicensed massage establishments are liable to enhanced penalties under the MEA. 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.
Landlords and hotel owners are advised to ensure that tenants do not carry out vice activities inside their premises. Unlicensed brothel operators can be given a maximum fine of $10,000 and/or up to five years’ imprisonment. Any person who knowingly lives wholly or in part on the earnings of the prostitution of another person can also be jailed up to five years and fined up to $10,000. Action will be taken against landlords who knowingly lease their premises to unlicensed massage establishment operators or allow their premises to be used by those involved in vice activities.
The Police take a serious view of anyone found breaking the law and these offenders will be dealt with in accordance with the law.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
06 December 2019 @ 6:45 PM