Singapore legislation
Section 43
Section 43
Power to inspect, and require information or documents
(1)
For the purpose of determining whether this Act has been complied with, the Registrar or an officer duly authorised by the Registrar (called in this section an authorised officer) may at any time —
inspect any premises where a moneylender is or is believed to be carrying on business and the books, records and other documents kept there;
require the moneylender or any other person to furnish any information, book, record or other document either forthwith or at such other time and place and in such manner as the Registrar or the authorised officer may require;
make or cause to be made a copy of any book, record or other document inspected or produced;
take photographs or video recordings of the premises inspected or any part of those premises; and
seize and remove from the premises any book, record or other document, or any machine or equipment containing any book, record or other document.
(2)
The Registrar or an authorised officer may be assisted by any other person or persons when exercising the powers under subsection (1)(a), (b), (c) or (d).
(3)
Any person who, without reasonable excuse, fails or refuses —
to grant to the Registrar or an authorised officer access to the premises or any part of the premises, or to any book, record or other document, under subsection (1)(a);
to furnish the Registrar or an authorised officer with any information, book, record or other document at the time and place or in the manner required under subsection (1)(b);
to permit the Registrar or an authorised officer to make or cause to be made a copy of any book, record or other document under subsection (1)(c);
to permit the Registrar or an authorised officer to take any photograph or video recording of the premises inspected or any part of those premises under subsection (1)(d); or
to permit the Registrar or an authorised officer to seize or remove from the premises any book, record or other document, or any machine or equipment containing any book, record or other document under subsection (1)(e),shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.
(4)
Any person who obstructs or prevents the Registrar or an authorised officer from exercising his or her powers under subsection (1) in any manner other than as described in subsection (3) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $30,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.
(5)
Any person who, knowingly or recklessly —
gives to the Registrar or an authorised officer any information under subsection (1) that is false or misleading in a material particular; or
produces to the Registrar or an authorised officer, or grants him or her access to, any book, record or other document under subsection (1) which contains a statement or omits any matter which renders it false or misleading in a material particular,shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $30,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.[25