Singapore legislation
Section 19
Section 19
Power to issue premises closure order
(1)
The Commissioner may issue a premises closure order to a person (called in this section the defendant) —
charged —
with an offence under section 5(4) for contravening section 5(1); or
whether before, on or after 1 March 2018, with an offence under section 9(a) of the repealed Act; and
whom the Commissioner has reasonable grounds to suspect is continuing to provide massage services in premises specified in the order despite criminal proceedings in relation to the charge mentioned in paragraph (a) against that person being pending.
(2)
Where a premises closure order has been issued, the defendant issued with the order must —
within the time specified in the order, vacate the premises specified in the order and secure with a lock every point of entry into, or exit from, those premises; and
give the key to the lock (including any copy of the key) to the Licensing Officer within 24 hours after those premises have been secured with the lock.
(3)
A premises closure order issued to a defendant charged with an offence mentioned in subsection (1)(a) remains in force until the earliest of the following dates:
the date on which —
the defendant is acquitted or convicted of the charge (or any later date on which the defendant is sentenced) if no appeal against the acquittal or conviction is filed, or the charge is withdrawn; or (ii)if an appeal against the acquittal or conviction of the charge is filed, the date the appeal is determined;
if the premises specified in the order are leased by another person to the defendant, the date on which that other person terminates the lease;
the date on which the defendant satisfies the Commissioner that the defendant will only use the premises for lawful purposes.
(4)
Any defendant who fails to comply with subsection (2) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $15,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or to both.
(5)
Where any defendant fails to comply with subsection (2), the Licensing Officer may —
take any measures that may be necessary to give effect to the premises closure order; and
use reasonable force to give effect to the order.
(6)
Any costs and expenses incurred by the Licensing Officer under subsection (5) may be recovered as a debt due to the Government from the defendant served with the premises closure order.