A brothel is not just where sexual services are provided, but one where they are offered, according to a proposed new definition under the Women's Charter.
The proposed change would make it easier for the authorities to tackle the problem of vice activities in residential estates.
Another proposed change will make people based outside Singapore liable if they facilitate the provision of sexual services through remote communication services, such as via websites or through instant messaging apps.
Maximum penalties for various offences under the Charter are also set to go up, with higher fines and longer jail terms.
These were among amendments to the Charter that were introduced in Parliament yesterday.
Currently, a brothel is defined as a place used by two or more women for prostitution. The new definition extends to cover any place that has been advertised - expressly or implicitly - as being used for prostitution.
Last week, the police said they arrested 106 women and a man during a month-long operation for suspected involvement in vice-related activities which took place in condominiums, hotels and residential units.
The proposed changes will also make it easier for the prosecution to prove that a place is a brothel. Under the amendments, prosecutors can rely on circumstantial evidence - such as people entering and leaving the premises, and appointments for prostitution through the use of telephone numbers or other publicly advertised contact details - to prove that a place is a brothel.
It is already an offence for any person to keep, manage or assist in the management of a brothel.
The amendments tabled in Parliament would also see penalties for various offences increased. For example, those who facilitate the provision of sexual services through remote communication methods would currently be fined no more than $3,000 and/or jailed for up to three years.
This would be changed to a maximum fine of $100,000 and/or jail of up to five years.
Similarly, those who sell women for prostitution may face a mandatory jail term of seven years, as well as a $100,000 fine. The current penalty is a five-year jail term and up to $10,000 fine.
The changes will be debated at the next Parliament sitting.
Besides the amendment to the Women's Charter, seven other Bills were introduced yesterday. They included changes to the Central Provident Fund to help self-employed people make regular contributions to their Medisave accounts, among other things.
