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Joo Chiat's sleaze reduced substantially, says law minister
By Claire Huang | Posted: 09 May 2010 2009 hrs
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SINGAPORE : Law Minister K Shanmugam said sleaze in the Joo Chiat area has been substantially reduced over the last few years. And this can be seen from the dwindling number of vice activities as well as establishments like pubs and massage parlours.
Over the years, the number of pubs in the Joo Chiat area has gone down from 46 to 28. And this is even more significant for massage parlours. While the area used to have about 30 massage parlours, it is now down to only three.
Responding to a query on what more the government is doing to clean up the area, Mr Shanmugam said the various agencies have been working together to control vice there. "A decision has been taken since January of 2009 by the STB (Singapore Tourism Board), on the urging of the MP and the Joo Chiat task force, that hotels will not be allowed to charge transit rates anymore, by the hour. So that's in place now and that applies for newer as well as current hotels," said Mr Shanmugam, who is also the Second Minister for Home Affairs.
The number of women picked up for vice in the area has also dropped drastically over the years - from 400 in 2007, to less than 40 last year. Last year, the police arrested some 7,600 female foreigners for vice-related activities, up from the 5,000 the year before - mainly because of stepped-up enforcement action. During the dialogue session, a resident asked if the authority will be doing more to curb vice in outdoor refreshment areas.
Mr Shanmugam said it is simply not possible to push all businesses indoors because some just don't have the space. He added that a practical and fairly strict approach has been taken towards the outdoor refreshment areas. "We have been refusing applications for putting tables and chairs outside wherever it's feasible to do so. It cannot be done in every single establishment, but wherever it's feasible to do so we've been doing that," said Mr Shanmugam.
During the hour-long forum, Mr Shanmugam also touched on issues such as traffic in the Joo Chiat area and foreign workers. - CNA /ls
