Tanglin Police Division conducted enforcement operations against Massage Establishments (MEs) located along Upper Thomson Road, Macpherson Road and Upper Paya Lebar Road on 5 October 2020.
During the operation, four women, aged between 26 and 46, were arrested for offences under the Women’s Charter, and a 29-year-old woman was arrested for offences under the Remote Gambling Act. Five premises were also found to be operating without a valid ME license. Police investigations are ongoing.
The Police will continue to take tough enforcement action against unlicensed and errant MEs. Operators of unlicensed MEs are liable to enhanced penalties under the Massage Establishments Act 2017. If convicted, first time offenders may face a fine of up to $10,000, or imprisonment of up to 2 years, or both. Repeat offenders may be liable to a fine of up to $20,000, or imprisonment of up to 5 years, or both.
The Police may also issue a closure order to the premises, which will require an unlicensed ME to be vacated and physically secured, should the operator continue to operate the unlicensed ME after being charged in court. If the order is not complied with, the Police are empowered to take necessary steps to enforce the closure of the premises. Anyone who breaches the order may face a maximum fine of $15,000, or imprisonment of up to 3 years, or both. These orders will prevent recalcitrant unlicensed ME operators from blatantly breaching the law while court proceedings against them are ongoing.
The Police will also take action against landlords who knowingly lease their premises to unlicensed ME operators. The Police will notify the landlord when their tenant has been charged in court for operating an unlicensed ME. After the conviction of the tenant, the landlord must require the tenant to hand over possession of the premises within a month. Landlords who fail to do so, will be liable, if convicted, to 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.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
12 October 2020 @ 3:35 PM