Ever since the new Massage Establishments Act (MEA) and related changes to regulatory requirements for massage establishments (MEs) came into force on 1 March 2018. The Police have stepped up enforcement efforts and conducted an intensive two-week islandwide operation between 1 and 14 March 2018 targeting unlicensed MEs and errant licensed MEs suspected of operating vice activities.
During the operations, the Police checked 41 massage establishments across 15 neighborhoods, such as Ang Mo Kio, Bishan, Bukit Batok, Bukit Merah, Bukit Timah, Changi, Choa Chu Kang, Orchard, Jalan Besar, Jurong West, Paya Lebar, Serangoon, Tanjong Pagar, Toa Payoh and Upper Thomson.
10 women were arrested for offenses under the Women’s Charter and Employment of Foreign Manpower Act. 14 MEs were also detected to be operating without a valid license.
Investigations are ongoing. The operators of the unlicensed MEs will be investigated and are liable for the enhanced penalties under the new MEA. If convicted, first-time offenders will be sentenced to a fine of up to $10,000, or imprisonment of up to 2 years, or both. The maximum penalties for subsequent convictions will be doubled or more – a fine of up to $20,000, or imprisonment of up to 5 years, or both.
The Police will be enhancing checks on all MEs and will not hesitate to take tough regulatory action against operators of unlicensed MEs, landlords who knowingly lease their premises to unlicensed ME operators and errant licensees found to have contravened any provisions, rules and licensing conditions under the new MEA.
