62 people probed for alleged breaches of Covid-19 rules and other offences at entertainment venues

SINGAPORE — A total of 62 people are being investigated by the police following a joint enforcement operation targeting licensed and unlicensed public entertainment outlets — including against two allegedly unlicensed KTV-concept lounges — ahead of the Chinese New Year festive season.

Twelve men and five women, aged between 27 and 66, were found allegedly singing karaoke and consuming liquor within the KTV-concept lounges, located in a unit along Balestier Road, said the police in a press release on Monday (Jan 31). 

Two men, aged 34 and 39, who were believed to be the operators of the two outlets, were arrested under the Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act 2015, and will also be investigated under the Public Entertainments Act 1958. 

“The operators and 15 patrons are being investigated for non-compliance with safe management measures as well,” said the police.

Another four women, aged between 29 and 38, were arrested for offences under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990. 

The enforcement operation, conducted from Jan 20 to Jan 29, was led by Tanglin Police Division and supported by officers from the Secret Societies Branch of Criminal Investigation Department and Singapore Civil Defence Force. 

Those rounded up in the raid were aged between 25 and 66, said the police.

Seven of the 13 outlets inspected were found to have committed breaches under the Public Entertainments Act 1958, the Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act 2015, the Common Gaming Houses Act 1961, the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020 and the Fire Safety Act 1993. 

A 28-year-old man was also arrested during the operation for his alleged involvement in secret society activities.

GAMBLING ACTIVITIES

The police also said that they had nabbed nine men, aged between 24 and 47, who were allegedly found to be gambling in a shophouse unit along Upper Thomson Road.

All nine were arrested for offences under the Common Gaming Houses Act 1961 and will also be investigated for non-compliance with safe management measures.

A 30-year-old man will be investigated for operating and managing an illegal gambling den, said the police.

AFTER-HOURS SALE OF ALCOHOL

The police added that they are investigating a restaurant along Mohamed Sultan Road which had purportedly allowed the sale and consumption of alcohol after 10.30pm.

The Commander of Tanglin Police Division, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Cheong Chee Ming, said such enforcement operations are part of the police’s efforts to keep the community safe during the festive period. 

“The police will continue to take tough enforcement action against those involved in criminal activities. Those found engaging in illicit activities will be dealt with sternly, in accordance with the law,” he said.

In their statement, the police said they have “zero tolerance” towards illicit activities that threaten the public safety, peace, and good order of their communities. 

They added that they will continue to conduct regular enforcement operations to clamp down on illegal operations, suppress secret society activities and detect breaches of Covid-19 safe management measures at various nightlife establishments and popular congregation hot spots throughout the festive season.