Singapore: The police said on Wednesday (November 3) that between September 13 and October 23, 70 public entertainment and nightlife venues were inspected by law enforcement across the island. A total of 183 people are under investigation.
It was found that 15 public entertainment and nightlife venues violated public entertainment and alcohol supply and consumption regulations and COVID-19 safety regulations.
The police highlighted three interesting cases in its press release.
In the first incident, the police conducted an operation on October 2 at an unlicensed “KTV-concept” store, which was allegedly operated in a shophouse unit on Syed Alwi Road.
The unit has eight men and one woman, aged between 18 and 33 years old.
The unit has several private rooms equipped with karaoke systems, TVs and microphones, which are said to be used for public entertainment. Several bottles of wine were also found in the room. Allegedly, alcohol is provided to people who visit the shop.
The police said that karaoke equipment and alcohol have been seized for investigation.
A 21-year-old man from the group was identified as the alleged operator of the store. He was also found to be involved in other crimes and possessing substances considered to be controlled drugs and drug paraphernalia.
The man was arrested for violating the Public Entertainment Act, the Alcohol Control Act and the Drug Abuse Act.
A man and a woman, aged between 18 and 21, were also arrested on suspicion of drug-related offences.
The police said: “All nine people are currently assisting in the investigation of non-compliance with safety distance measures.”
Found men and women playing poker and billiards
In another incident, the police received a call for help, informing them that a large gathering was held on October 4 at a mixed-use office-industrial unit in Upper Paya Lebar Road.
According to the police, a 28-year-old man was allegedly found operating an ordinary gaming house in a unit in the building with the assistance of another 28-year-old man.
Allegedly, 10 men and 3 women, aged between 21 and 51, were found playing poker and billiards at the poker and pool tables installed in the unit.
The unit also has a private room equipped with a karaoke system, game console, speakers and microphone for public entertainment.
The utensils and equipment used in connection with gambling have been seized for investigation. The police arrested all 15 people on charges of violating the “Joint Gaming Companies Act” and investigated their violation of safety distance measures.
A 25-year-old man was not present at the time of the police inspection. He was also under investigation for allegedly operating a gaming company illegally and providing public entertainment without permission.
55 people were found at the unauthorized KTV-CONCEPT OUTLET
In the third incident, the police received a call for help on October 23 stating that an unlicensed KTV concept store was operating in a mixed-use industrial unit in Tagore Lane.
The unit has a total of 39 men and 16 women, aged between 18 and 45 years old, and is divided into two decks.
Each deck has a lounge area equipped with a karaoke system, TV, speakers and flash. Several bottles of wine were also found on several tables.
Two men between the ages of 31 and 35 were determined to be the suspected operators of the unit. They were arrested for violating the Public Entertainment Act 2015 and the Alcohol Control (Supply and Consumption) Act.
The police stated that all 55 people will also be investigated for violating safety distance measures.
Each offence of providing alcohol and providing public entertainment without permission is punishable by a fine of up to S$20,000. If the safety distance is violated, the convicted person can be sentenced to jail for up to 6 months, fined up to S$10,000, or both.
It said: “The police will continue to conduct regular law enforcement inspections of public entertainment venues to combat pornography and other illegal activities.”
Citizens and companies should take the current safety management measures seriously.
