33 People Investigated for Gathering at an Unlicensed KTV Outlet in Tanjong Pagar

Just when it seems like the COVID-19 cases have been going down, it seems like some people are just determined to bring it back up.

On Monday (7 June), the Singapore Police Force (SPF) announced that thirty-three people have been found allegedly flouting COVID-19 safe management measures, and are currently under investigation.

The incident took place at an unlicensed KTV outlet in Tanjong Pagar, Enggor Street, on 26 May, when the SPF was alerted to its operations.

The 33 people, aged between 20 to 68, were all found in a unit within the KTV outlet. Of these 33 people, two 37-year-old men were found attempting to leave the unit by its back door when the police arrived.

According to the SPF, the other 24 men and 7 women were found inside the unit socialising and consuming alcohol. Of these 31 people found inside the unit, a 39-year-old man is believed by the SPF to have been the KTV’s operator.

He has since been arrested for supplying liquor without a valid licence under the Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act 2015. Under the Public Entertainments Act, he will also be investigated for providing public entertainment without a licence.

In a news release, the SPF stated that “public entertainment and liquor were believed to have been provided at the unit without a valid licence.

“The karaoke equipment, liquor bottles and beer cans found at the unit were seized for investigations,” added the SPF.

Under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020, all 33 people found in the KTV unit will be investigated for non-compliance with safe distancing measures.

For an offence of providing public entertainment without a valid licence, a person who pleads guilty can be fined up to $20,000. The penalty for an offence of supplying liquor without a valid licence is also a fine of up to $20,000.

One found guilty of failing to comply with COVID-19 regulations can be sentenced to up to six months’ prison, charged a fine of up to $10,000, or both.

Similar Incident on 16 May

On 16 May, during an operation conducted by the police, seven men and two women were found flouting safe distancing measures.

The incident took place in an industrial unit along Jalan Besar. The 9 people, aged 20 to 27, were found socialising and consuming alcohol within the unit.

On 22 May, in a separate police operation, twenty-one men and eight women were found gathered in an office unit along Paya Lebar Road. The 29 people, aged between 14 to 39, were similarly found socialising and consuming alcohol within the unit.

Featured Image: SPF