20 women arrested for suspected vice activities at 3 KTV lounges operating as F&B outlets

Twenty women have been arrested for their suspected involvement in vice-related activities within three pivoted KTV lounges operating as food and beverage outlets.

The police said in a statement on Wednesday (July 14) that the arrests were made in an anti-crime operation conducted along South Bridge Road, Selegie Road and Geylang Road on Tuesday (July 13).

The women, aged between 20 and 34, are of Korean, Malaysian, Thai and Vietnamese nationalities. They will be investigated for offences under the Women's Charter, the Immigration Act and the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act.

The three pivoted KTV operators are also being investigated for breach of safe management measures under the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020, as the operators had allegedly provided hostessing services within their premises.

One of the outlets had also allegedly provided dice games, which is a prohibited entertainment activity under the regulations.

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) will be look into revoking the food licences of operators found to have committed egregious breaches of safe management measures.

Establishments that lose their food licence must cease operations with immediate effect until their re-application for a new food
licence is approved.

For non-compliance with safe distancing measures, offenders may be jailed for up to six months, fined up to S$10,000, or both.

The police advised members of the public to take the prevailing safe distancing measures seriously.

"The police take a very negative view of irresponsible behaviours relating to the flouting of safe distancing measures and offenders will be dealt with firmly," the statement said.

The police added they will be further stepping up checks on such outlets and also stepping up enforcement against vice and other illegal activities.