Jail term, higher fines proposed for illegal massage parlour operators

SINGAPORE – Unlicensed massage parlour operators will face harsher penalties, including possible jail terms, under enhanced laws tabled in Parliament on Monday (Oct 2) to arrest a sharp rise in the number of establishments caught for offering such illegal services.

Under the revised Massage Establishments Act (MEA), the current maximum penalty of a fine of S$1,000 for unlicensed operators will be increased to a fine of up to S$10,000 or a maximum jail terms of two years, or both. Existing penalties for unlicensed massage operators do not include a jail term.

Repeat offenders will face even tougher punishment, with a fine of up to S$20,000 or an imprisonment term of up to five years, or both.

The move comes in light of a 40 per cent increase in the number of unlicensed massage parlours busted by the authorities between 2013 and 2016, many of which were used as “fronts for vice activities”, said the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

Landlords who knowingly lease their premises to unlicensed massage parlours will also face the brunt of the law, under the new legislation.

They will be informed by the police if their tenants have been charged with operating illegal massage services. Upon conviction, the landlord will be empowered to evict the tenants.

Landlords who refuse to evict the errant tenants will face a maximum fine of S$10,000 or a jail term of up to two years or both. Stiffer penalties will be handed out for repeat offenders.

To allow the police to take tougher action, they will be granted powers to close down illegal massage establishments while investigations are ongoing. Currently, operators of unlicensed massage parlours can continue their services even after they have been charged in court.

Under the new law, the Commissioner of Police will be given the authority to issue a closure order that requires an unlicensed massage parlour to be vacated and physically secured, with the order to remain in force until the court case is completed.

Meanwhile, establishments providing low-risk massage activities such as manicure and pedicure salons, as well as fish and baby spas, will no longer require a license. Currently regulated under the MEA, the ministry said that they “do not pose the same law and order concerns”, unlike traditional massage parlours.

“However, if these operators are found to be providing unlicensed massage services, they will be charged for operating unlicensed massage establishments and face the increased penalties under the updated regulatory regime,” said the MHA.

Under the amendments, licensed establishments with a good track record will also be given longer licenses - an increase from the current one year validity period to three years. 

Penalties for licensed operators who breach regulations for the first-time will be increased from a maximum fine of S$1,000 to S$5,000. Subsequent convictions could result in a fine of up to S$10,000 or up to two years in jail, or both.