Shanmugam backs Police raid tactics on illegal brothels

SINGAPORE – Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam has thrown his weight behind the Police following criticisms over enforcement tactics used in raids on illegal brothels.

Mr Shanmugam said “unjustified attacks” must be rebutted as they are “a huge disservice to the men and women in blue who put their lives at risk every day to make Singapore safe for all of us”.

He a was responding to a social media post by a woman who filmed – and subsequently posted – a police raid at Rowell Road last Friday (Dec 8) in which she had criticised police for “terrorising women” - and “wasting taxpayer money”. She had accused the Police of having used the services of the women sex workers and hurting them.

Mr Shanmugam added: “In many countries, unjustified attacks on Police have eventually led to the weakening of law enforcement.”

“We do not intend to let that happen in Singapore.”

The Police had conducted simultaneous raids last Friday at brothels in the vicinity of Rowell Road in Serangoon. Twenty-two people were arrested for their suspected involvement in vice-related activities.

During the raids, officers had to use necessary force to gain access into units that were locked.

The suspects, who are work pass holders, allegedly made use of their stay in Singapore to commit vice-related offences.

Investigations are ongoing.

Earlier on Saturday (Dec 9), Mr Shanmugam had said in a Facebook post: “Speed and surprise are key elements during raids. Police cannot be expected to knock on the door, and wait for a response.”

Responding to comments that Police “break down doors, wear masks and so on” during raids on police brothels, Mr Shanmugam added: “What do we expect - the gangsters (who might be present) will open the door, and politely admit to their actions?”

Commenting on the way the Police conducted the raids, Mr Shanmugam said the police wear masks during such operations because criminal gangs could go for them, if their identities are known.

Illegal brothels are often run by criminal syndicates, he noted. “It’s big business,” said Mr Shanmugam. “The men behind it will retaliate, if they can. I get quite puzzled with the kind of criticisms, and the deeply flawed, misplaced sympathies.”

“I fully support the Police in their actions and the tactics they have adopted,” he added.

Mr Shanmugam also noted that some of the women involved are victims of syndicates, and “wherever possible, we should try and help them”.

“But that should not colour our views on what the Police need to do,” he said.

Separately, 49 people - comprising 45 women and four men - aged between 23 and 48, were arrested for various offences in a four-day multi-agency joint enforcement operation that ended on Friday.

Led by Jurong Police Division and supported by officers from the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and Singapore Customs, the operation covered multiple locations in western Singapore, including Bukit Batok, Chua Chu Kang, Jurong West and Woodlands.

Three public entertainment outlets were also found to have flouted regulations under the Public Entertainment Act. Two of these outlets were also found to have breached fire safety rules and regulations. Twenty-six offenders were caught with duty-unpaid cigarettes and were issued composition sums ranging from S$500 to S$2,400.