Landlord charged over allowing premises to be used by unlicensed massage parlour
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This illegal arrangement was uncovered during police enforcement checks in the area on Oct 30, 2025.
ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
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- Ganga Jamuna Electronics faces charges for allowing Ya Zhi Mei Health Beauty Spa to operate an unlicensed massage establishment at their premises.
- Police uncovered the illegal operation during checks on October 30, 2025; the tenant was fined $10,000. Landlord to plead guilty in May.
- Police are reviewing the Massage Establishments Act to update regulations.
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SINGAPORE – A landlord of a unit in Upper Serangoon Road was hauled to court on April 1 after allowing its tenant to operate an unlicensed massage establishment, which is an offence under a law currently under review to be tightened.
Ganga Jamuna Electronics, which has its registered address at Block 767 Upper Serangoon Road, was said to have allowed the premises to be used by Ya Zhi Mei Health Beauty Spa.
This illegal arrangement was uncovered when police did enforcement checks in the area on Oct 30, 2025, said the police in a statement on March 31.
The operator of the unlicensed massage establishment subsequently pleaded guilty to the charge and was fined $10,000.
In their statement, the police urged landlords to conduct proper checks on their tenants and their intended use of rented premises.
They added that they will not hesitate to take action against landlords who knowingly and complicitly allow their premises to be used by tenants for any illegal activities.
Court records state that the landlord is set to plead guilty in May.
If convicted, the landlord can be fined up to $10,000, jailed for up to two years, or both.
Tougher clampdown on massage parlours
In February, The Straits Times reported that the police were reviewing the Massage Establishments Act to tighten regulations.
Under the Act, operators of massage establishments are required to obtain a licence from the police.
It exempts open-concept massage establishments, and beauty salons and hair salons that do not provide massage services, as they are deemed to have a lower risk of vice activities.
To avoid attention, vice operators have been known to register their businesses as these exempted establishments.
Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam said the ongoing review is to ensure that the regulatory regime is updated and fit for purpose.
He also revealed that the number of massage establishment licences issued has decreased over the past three years, from 907 in 2023, to 877 and 868 in 2024 and 2025.
