Latest news with #MassageEstablishmentsAct
New Paper
03-07-2025
- New Paper
Three hair salons raided in crackdown on illegal massage and vice services in Geylang and Joo Chiat
Hair salons and public entertainment outlets in Geylang and Joo Chiat were targeted in recent enforcement operations that saw 20 people arrested and six others being investigated. The police had raided three salons in Geylang on June 27. At one outlet, plainclothes officers caught women offering unlicensed massage services. There were four men receiving such services in this salon during the raid - the first operation at such outlets that the media has been allowed to observe. The men sat on massage beds at the back of the shop while the police questioned the women. Although they were allowed to leave, the men stayed behind, hoping to get a refund. Based on identity checks, several of the women appeared to be Singapore permanent residents. Shops like this one often present a typical salon set-up at the front, while the back contains massage stations with beds separated by thin dividers. The shop where the media observed the police raid had four massage beds, six hair washing beds, and two foot massage recliners. At least seven women were working there at the time. The Straits Times had visited this same shop in 2024, as part of reporting for an article on how hair salons in Geylang were suspected to be fronts for vice, exploiting a gap in existing regulations. Under the massage establishment licensing system, at least 80 per cent of employees at massage parlours and spas must be certified in beauty therapy services. Under the massage establishment licensing system, at least 80 per cent of employees at massage parlours and spas must be certified in beauty therapy services. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO Some vice operators have tried to sidestep these rules by branding their outlets as beauty, and hair salons. Following ST's report in December 2024, the hair salon operator had posted on TikTok offering a $20,000 reward to anyone who could find illegal activity inside their shop. The salon, along with the two others found to be providing massage services beyond stipulated operating hours, are now being investigated for offences under the Massage Establishments Act. The police also raided public entertainment outlets in Geylang and Joo Chiat on June 20 and June 27 to clamp down on activities like touting, vice and drug-related activities. A total of 12 women, aged between 32 and 50, were arrested for working without valid work passes. On June 27, the media was also taken to a KTV lounge in Geylang where 10 women were arrested. All were Chinese nationals. Customers continued partying even as the police raid unfolded. The police said one of the outlets in Geylang had fire safety violations such as obstructions to emergency escape routes. As part of the wider enforcement operations, the Traffic Police conducted anti-drink driving checks in the area. Seven motorists, aged between 24 and 55, were arrested for drink driving, including a 26-year-old man who did not have a valid driving licence. More people were caught drink driving with 1,778 such arrests in 2024, up 6.9 per cent from 2023. Drink driving-related accidents dropped from 180 to 166 cases in the same time period, but the number of fatal accidents linked to drink driving increased from 11 cases in 2023 to 12 in 2024. During the enforcement operation, a 48-year-old male motorcyclist was arrested for suspected drug-related offences. He had duty-unpaid cigarettes and e-vaporisers in his possession. Those convicted of running a business providing unlicensed massages can be jailed for up to two years and fined up to $10,000. Repeat offenders can be jailed for up to five years and fined up to $20,000. Those convicted of working without a valid work pass can be jailed for up to two years and fined up to $20,000.
New Paper
02-07-2025
- New Paper
3 hair salons raided in crackdown on illegal massage and vice services in Geylang and Joo Chiat
Hair salons and public entertainment outlets in Geylang and Joo Chiat were targeted in recent enforcement operations that saw 20 people arrested and six others being investigated. The police had raided three salons in Geylang on June 27. At one outlet, plainclothes officers caught women offering unlicensed massage services. There were four men receiving such services in this salon during the raid - the first operation at such outlets that the media has been allowed to observe. The men sat on massage beds at the back of the shop while the police questioned the women. Although they were allowed to leave, the men stayed behind, hoping to get a refund. Based on identity checks, several of the women appeared to be Singapore permanent residents. Shops like this one often present a typical salon set-up at the front, while the back contains massage stations with beds separated by thin dividers. The shop where the media observed the police raid had four massage beds, six hair washing beds, and two foot massage recliners. At least seven women were working there at the time. The Straits Times had visited this same shop in 2024, as part of reporting for an article on how hair salons in Geylang were suspected to be fronts for vice, exploiting a gap in existing regulations. Under the massage establishment licensing system, at least 80 per cent of employees at massage parlours and spas must be certified in beauty therapy services. Under the massage establishment licensing system, at least 80 per cent of employees at massage parlours and spas must be certified in beauty therapy services. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO Some vice operators have tried to sidestep these rules by branding their outlets as beauty, and hair salons. Following ST's report in December 2024, the hair salon operator had posted on TikTok offering a $20,000 reward to anyone who could find illegal activity inside their shop. The salon, along with the two others found to be providing massage services beyond stipulated operating hours, are now being investigated for offences under the Massage Establishments Act. The police also raided public entertainment outlets in Geylang and Joo Chiat on June 20 and June 27 to clamp down on activities like touting, vice and drug-related activities. A total of 12 women, aged between 32 and 50, were arrested for working without valid work passes. On June 27, the media was also taken to a KTV lounge in Geylang where 10 women were arrested. All were Chinese nationals. Customers continued partying even as the police raid unfolded. The police said one of the outlets in Geylang had fire safety violations such as obstructions to emergency escape routes. As part of the wider enforcement operations, the Traffic Police conducted anti-drink driving checks in the area. Seven motorists, aged between 24 and 55, were arrested for drink driving, including a 26-year-old man who did not have a valid driving licence. More people were caught drink driving with 1,778 such arrests in 2024, up 6.9 per cent from 2023. Drink driving-related accidents dropped from 180 to 166 cases in the same time period, but the number of fatal accidents linked to drink driving increased from 11 cases in 2023 to 12 in 2024. During the enforcement operation, a 48-year-old male motorcyclist was arrested for suspected drug-related offences. He had duty-unpaid cigarettes and e-vaporisers in his possession. Those convicted of running a business providing unlicensed massages can be jailed for up to two years and fined up to $10,000. Repeat offenders can be jailed for up to five years and fined up to $20,000. Those convicted of working without a valid work pass can be jailed for up to two years and fined up to $20,000.
AsiaOne
02-07-2025
- AsiaOne
20 persons arrested in multi-agency anti-crime blitz in Geylang and Joo Chiat, Singapore News
The enforcement operation on June 27 is part of the police's continuous efforts to clamp down on regulatory offences and illegal activities in Joo Chiat and Geylang PUBLISHED ON July 02, 2025 7:00 AM By Sean Ler Eight men and 12 women, aged between 24 and 55, were arrested for various offences during a multi-agency enforcement operation in Geylang on Friday (June 27). The offences include drink driving, driving without a valid licence and insurance, non-maintenance of fire safety provisions, providing massage services without a valid licence, suspected drug-related offences, and working without a valid work permit. Members of the media, including AsiaOne, were invited to observe the enforcement operation, led by Bedok Police Division. The enforcement operation, involving officers from the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and the Singapore Civil Defence Force, is part of their ongoing efforts to clamp down on illicit activities and regulatory offences in the area, said the police in a statement on Wednesday (July 2). Our first stop was a hair salon along Geylang Road which actively promotes its hair washing services on social media. In some of these videos seen by AsiaOne, massage services were clearly mentioned. Under the Massage Establishments Act, hair salons are not classified as massage establishments and are not allowed to provide massage services unless they are specifically licensed to do so. The police also conducted checks on another two hair salons in the area which are licensed to provide massage services, but were found doing so beyond the stipulated closing time of 10.30pm. All three salons are being investigated under the Act. The offence of providing massage services in an establishment for massage without a licence carries a fine not exceeding $10,000, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or both. About 200m down the road, officers conducted enforcement checks on a KTV outlet. There, police and ICA officers found 10 female Chinese nationals, estimated to be in their 30s to 50s, working without a valid permit. They were later arrested and led to a waiting police bus. Two women were also arrested for the same reason at two other public entertainment outlets in nearby Joo Chiat. The offence of working without a valid work pass carries a fine not exceeding $20,000, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or both. [[nid:719717]] Around the corner at Guillemard Road, traffic police officers conducted ring-fencing operation in support of the ongoing multi-agency operation. These checks were conducted on drivers in Geylang for traffic-related offences. A total of seven motorists, aged between 24 and 55, were arrested for drink-driving. Among those arrested for drink-driving was a 26-year-old man who was found to be driving without a valid licence and insurance. The media also witnessed one male motorcyclist being detained just before the roadblock. A police K-9 Springer Spaniel and its handler were seen searching a stretch of pavement adjacent to the road as traffic police officers interviewed the man. The dog was later led to search the motorcycle. The 48-year-old man was subsequently arrested for possession of contraband cigarettes, drugs and e-vaporisers, and is being investigated by the Singapore Customs, CNB and the Health Sciences Authority. Commanding Officer of Geylang Neighbourhood Police Centre Superintendent Muhammad Firdaus bin Abdul Raub said during the operation that the police will deal sternly with drink-driving and unlawful activities."This (the operation) is part of our continuous efforts to clamp down on vice and drug-related activities in Geylang and demonstrates the agencies' commitment to upholding public safety and compliance with regulations," he said. On the police's e-services portal, Geylang is listed as one of nine locations where a new public entertainment licence is unlikely to be granted to mitigate law and order concerns and manage the number of such establishments. Six other persons are assisting with investigations relating to regulatory breaches of a public entertainment license. Licensees who breach the public entertainment license may have their licenses suspended or cancelled, and may also be liable to a fine not exceeding $10,000. [[nid:704547]] editor@ This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.
Straits Times
02-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Three hair salons raided in clamp down on touting, vice and drugs in Geylang and Joo Chiat
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The police had raided three salons in Geylang on June 27. SINGAPORE - Hair salons and public entertainment outlets in Geylang and Joo Chiat were targeted in recent enforcement operations that saw 20 people arrested and six others being investigated. The police had raided three salons in Geylang on June 27. At one outlet, plainclothes officers caught women offering unlicensed massage services. There were four men receiving such services in this salon during the raid - the first operation at such outlets that the media has been allowed to observe. The men sat on massage beds at the back of the shop while police questioned the women. Although they were allowed to leave, the men stayed behind, hoping to get a refund. Based on identity checks, several of the women appeared to be Singapore permanent residents. Shops like this often present a typical salon setup at the front, while the back contains massage stations with beds separated by thin dividers. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 3 out of 4 in Singapore cannot identify deepfake content: Cyber Security Agency survey Singapore Ong Beng Seng's court hearing rescheduled one day before he was expected to plead guilty Singapore New $7.5m fund to encourage social service agencies to track impact of their programmes Singapore GrabCab, Singapore's newest taxi operator, hits the roads with over 40 cabs to be rolled out in July Life Star Awards 2025: Xiang Yun and Chen Hanwei are the most decorated actors in show's 30-year history World Paramount settles with Trump over '60 Minutes' Harris interview for $20 million Asia Dalai Lama says he will have successor after his death Business Cathay Cineplexes gets demand for $3.4 million in arrears from Jem landlord The shop where the media observed the police raid had four massage beds, six hair washing beds, and two foot massage recliners. At least seven women were working there at the time. The Straits Times had visited this same shop in 2024, as part of reporting for an article on how hair salons in Geylang were suspected to be fronts for vice , exploiting a gap in existing regulations. Under the massage establishment licensing regime, at least 80 per cent of employees at massage parlours and spas must be certified in beauty therapy services. Under the massage establishment licensing regime, at least 80 per cent of employees at massage parlours and spas must be certified in beauty therapy services. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO Some vice operators have tried to sidestep these rules by branding their outlets as beauty, and hair salons. Following ST's report in December 2024, the hair salon operator had posted on TikTok offering a $20,000 reward to anyone who could find illegal activity inside their shop. The salon, along with the two others found to be providing massage services beyond stipulated operating hours, are now being investigated for offences under the Massage Establishments Act. The police also raided public entertainment outlets in Geylang and Joo Chiat on June 20 and 27 to clamp down on activities like touting, vice and drug-related activities. A total of 12 women, aged between 32 and 50, were arrested for working without valid work passes. On June 27, the media was also brought to a KTV lounge in Geylang where 10 women were arrested. All were Chinese nationals. Customers continued partying even as the police raid unfolded. The police said one of the outlets in Geylang had fire safety violations such as obstructions to emergency escape routes. As part of the wider enforcement operations, the Traffic Police conducted anti-drink driving checks in the area. Seven motorists, aged between 24 and 55, were arrested for drink driving, including a 26-year-old man who did not have a valid driving licence. More people were caught drink driving with 1,778 such arrests in 2024, up 6.9 per cent from 2023. Drink driving-related accidents dropped from 180 to 166 cases in the same time period, but the number of fatal accidents linked to drink driving increased from 11 cases in 2023 to 12 in 2024. During the enforcement operation, a 48-year-old male motorcyclist was arrested for suspected drug-related offences. He had duty-unpaid cigarettes and e-vaporisers in his possession. Those convicted of running a business providing unlicensed massages can be jailed for up to two years and fined up to $10,000. Repeat offenders can be jailed for up to five years and fined up to $20,000. Those convicted of working without a valid work pass can be jailed for up to two years and fined up to $20,000.
