The Singapore Police Force, together with Singapore Tourism Board (“STB”), Urban Redevelopment Authority (“URA”), Singapore Food Agency (“SFA”) and Singapore Land Authority (“SLA”), conducted islandwide enforcement operations on 283 public entertainment outlets between 27 April 2022 and 3 May 2022, as part of ongoing efforts to ensure a safe resumption of nightlife businesses in Singapore.
During the operations, five licensed and unlicensed public entertainment outlets were purportedly found to have committed various breaches under the Public Entertainments Act 1958 and the Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act 2015, and investigations against the operators of these outlets are ongoing. In addition, Police arrested 25 women under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990, for allegedly working as freelance hostesses without a valid work permit at four of these outlets. The women, who were of Thai, Chinese and Vietnamese nationalities, were aged between 24 and 53.
During checks in an outlet located within Sim Lim Square, seven women of Vietnamese and Chinese nationalities, aged between 24 and 53, were allegedly found working as hostesses by providing companionship and drinking with patrons. The women were purportedly not in possession of any valid work permits, and were arrested under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990. The outlet was also found to have purportedly operated with recorded music and supplied liquor across five different units, when the operator only possessed valid public entertainment licences for four of these units and a valid liquor licence for one of the units. The operator of the outlets is being investigated for offences under the Public Entertainments Act 1958 and the Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act 2015.
The offence of providing public entertainment without a valid licence carries a fine of up to $20,000, while the offence of supplying liquor outside of licensed premises carries a fine not exceeding $10,000. For non-compliance with safe distancing measures under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Reopening – Control Order) Regulations 2022, individuals found guilty may be jailed for up to six months, fined up to S$10,000, or both.
The Police and agencies will continue to carry out enforcement operations at public entertainment outlets to suppress illicit activities. Members of the public and businesses are advised to remain vigilant and continue to take the prevailing SMMs 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.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
06 May 2022 @ 5:50 PM