SINGAPORE – Businesses in Singapore found to be flouting regulations could face a “three-strikes” system resulting in license cancellation or permit refusal, authorities announced on February 4. The approach, detailed by Senior Minister of State for National Development Sun Xueling, aims to address issues arising from non-compliant operations.
Stricter Enforcement for Businesses in Singapore
A new system of warnings could lead to license revocation for businesses that repeatedly violate regulations.
- A three-warning system will be implemented for businesses.
- Repeated violations could lead to license cancellation or permit refusal.
- authorities are reviewing regulations for massage establishments.
- Increased coordination between agencies is underway.
during a parliamentary debate, Nominated Member of Parliament Phua Jia Ling argued that reported incidents are often “fragmented and siloed,” hindering early identification of problematic patterns.
Sun Xueling assured Parliament that agencies are actively working to enhance collaboration on enforcement efforts. She cited joint raids conducted by the police and the Housing Board on massage establishments located in public housing estates as an example of this cooperation. Furthermore,the Housing Board and police collaborated to evict approximately 40 massage establishment operators in 2025.
Phua also highlighted the issue of some massage establishments operating without licenses, impacting residents. Residents in the crawford estate, for instance, have expressed discomfort with “visible solicitation activities” occurring outside certain establishments.
Under the Massage Establishments act,operators are generally required to obtain a license from the police. Though,open-concept massage establishments,as well as beauty and hair salons that do not offer massage services,are exempt from this requirement.
Both nightlife venues and massage establishments fall under the regulatory oversight of the police,a framework designed to prevent these locations from being exploited for illicit activities,Sun Xueling explained. Applicants for licenses undergo thorough background checks, including reviews of their records for any connections to previously problematic establishments.
On February 3, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam revealed a decrease in both the number of massage establishment licenses issued and the incidence of vice activities within these establishments. The number of licenses decreased from 907 in 2023 to 868 in 2025, while reported vice activities fell from 45 cases in 2023 to 30 cases in 2025.
sun Xueling noted that most nightlife establishments,including bars and karaoke lounges,are situated away from residential areas. New establishments are prohibited in both sold and rental HDB shops, and are also barred from commercial developments with residential units. The Urban Redevelopment Authority and the police have identified areas like Jalan Besar as locations where new nightlife or massage establishments will not be permitted due to existing density and resident complaints.
“Massage establishments such as sports massage, chiropractor clinics and traditional Chinese medicine clinics, if properly regulated, provide wellness services that residents value, which is why they are allowed to operate in the heartland,” Sun Xueling stated. the Housing Board also tightened quotas for licensed massage establishments in each estate, beginning in September 2024.
