Public Entertainments and Meetings Act

PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENTS AND MEETINGS ACT (CHAPTER 257)

(Original Enactment: Ordinance 40 of 1958)

REVISED EDITION 2001

(31st July 2001)

An Act to provide for the regulation of public entertainments and meetings.

[35/2000] [15th January 1959]

Short title

1. This Act may be cited as the Public Entertainments and Meetings Act.

[35/2000] Interpretation

2.—(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires — “appropriate Licensing Officer” means — (a) in the case of an arts entertainment provided or to be provided, solely or in combination with one or more forms of arts entertainment only, in any place other than a specified establishment, the Arts Entertainment Licensing Officer; and (b) in any other case, the Public Entertainment Licensing Officer;

“appropriate Minister” means — (a) in the case of an arts entertainment provided or to be provided, solely or in combination with one or more forms of arts entertainment only, in any place other than a specified establishment, the Minister charged with the responsibility for the licensing of arts entertainments; and (b) in any other case, the Minister charged with the responsibility for public entertainments;

“approved place” means a building, tent, street or place, or any part of that, whether open or enclosed, which is approved by the appropriate Licensing Officer for the purposes of this Act;

“arts entertainment” has the same meaning as in the Schedule;

“Arts Entertainment Licensing Officer” means the Licensing Officer appointed under section 4 by the Minister charged with the responsibility for the licensing of arts entertainments, and includes an Assistant Licensing Officer appointed by that Minister under that section;

“licence” means a public entertainment licence issued or renewed under this Act;

“licensee” means a person who is the holder of a licence;

“Licensing Officer” means — (a) in sections 17, 17A, 17B, 18 and 21 — (i) the Arts Entertainment Licensing Officer insofar as the powers under those sections are exercised in connection with section 15A, 15B or 15C; and (ii) the appropriate Licensing Officer insofar as the powers under those sections are exercised in connection with any other provision of this Act; and (b) in any other provision of this Act, the Public Entertainment Licensing Officer or the Arts Entertainment Licensing Officer, as the case may be;

“public entertainment” has the same meaning as in the Schedule;

“Public Entertainment Licensing Officer” means the Licensing Officer appointed under section 4 by the Minister charged with the responsibility for public entertainments, and includes an Assistant Licensing Officer appointed by that Minister under that section;

“specified establishment” means — (a) any place or premises in respect of which such liquor licence as may be prescribed is granted under the Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act 2015; or [Act 5 of 2015 wef 01/04/2015] (b) an amusement centre, a billiard saloon, a computer games centre or any other similar establishment.

(2) For the purposes of the definitions of “appropriate Licensing Officer” and “appropriate Minister” in subsection (1), section 15A(4), and the Schedule, a public entertainment is provided or to be provided in combination with another public entertainment if — (a) they are combined such that they are provided or to be provided as a single or an integrated public entertainment; or (b) they remain distinct but are provided or to be provided in or as part of the same event.

(2A) Unless the context otherwise requires, any reference in this Act to the issue of a licence includes a reference to the renewal of the licence.

(2B) The Schedule may, at any time, by order published in the Gazette, be amended, added to or varied by — (a) the Minister charged with the responsibility for public entertainments in any case; and (b) the Minister charged with the responsibility for the licensing of arts entertainments insofar as the amendment, addition or variation relates to an arts entertainment.

(3) Any order made under subsection (2B) shall be presented to Parliament as soon as possible after publication in the Gazette.

[Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] Prohibition 3. No public entertainment shall be provided except — (a) in an approved place; and (b) in accordance with a licence issued by the appropriate Licensing Officer.

[Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] Appointment of officers 4. The Minister charged with the responsibility for public entertainments and the Minister charged with the responsibility for the licensing of arts entertainments may each, by notification in the Gazette, appoint a Licensing Officer for the purposes of this Act and may similarly appoint such number of Assistant Licensing Officers as may be necessary.

[Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] Application for licence 5.—(1) Any person who desires to apply for or renew a licence must apply to the appropriate Licensing Officer in such form and manner, and within such time, as the appropriate Licensing Officer may require.

(2) An application under subsection (1) is to be accompanied by such documents as the appropriate Licensing Officer may require.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (1), the appropriate Licensing Officer — (a) may require an applicant to satisfy such criteria and requirements as the appropriate Licensing Officer may publish on a prescribed website; and (b) may publish different criteria and requirements for different classes of public entertainments or public entertainment licences.

[Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] Applicants may be joined 6. If the appropriate Licensing Officer is satisfied that the responsibility for the observance of the conditions of a licence is intended to be shared between 2 or more persons he may require the application under section 5 in respect of the licence to be made in the names of as many such persons jointly as he thinks fit.

[Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] Additional information 7. On receipt of an application under section 5, the appropriate Licensing Officer may require the applicant to furnish him with such additional information or document as he may require.

[35/2000] [Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] Public entertainment licence 8. Every public entertainment licence issued or renewed by the appropriate Licensing Officer — (a) is subject to such conditions; and (b) is valid for such period or expires on such date, as may be specified in the licence.

[Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] Licence not renewable as of right 9. A licence shall not be renewable as of right.

[35/2000] Conditions 10.—(1) In issuing or renewing a licence the appropriate Licensing Officer may impose such conditions as he thinks fit.

[9/79] [Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] (2) The appropriate Licensing Officer may, at any time, add to the conditions, or vary or revoke any condition, of a licence.

[Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] (3) In deciding whether to add to, vary or revoke any condition of a licence under subsection (2), the appropriate Licensing Officer may take into consideration the total number of demerit points awarded against the licensee under section 15 in respect of the licence.

[35/2000] [Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] (4) The appropriate Licensing Officer shall, before proceeding to add to, vary or revoke any condition of a licence under subsection (2), give the licensee — (a) notice in writing of his intention to do so; and (b) an opportunity to be heard, within such time as may be specified in the notice, as to why the condition should not be added to, varied or revoked.

[35/2000] [Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] (5) Any licensee who is aggrieved by the decision of the appropriate Licensing Officer under this section may appeal in writing to the appropriate Minister within 14 days after being notified of the decision or such extended period as the Minister may allow in any particular case.

[Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] Security 11.—(1) In respect of such classes of public entertainment as the appropriate Minister may from time to time prescribe by notification in the Gazette and subject to such limits as may be thereby prescribed, the appropriate Licensing Officer may, before issuing or renewing a licence, require — (a) the applicant; or (b) if there are 2 or more applicants, each applicant named by the appropriate Licensing Officer for the purpose, [Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] to give security in such form and manner as the appropriate Licensing Officer may determine that the provisions of this Act and the conditions of the licence will be duly observed.

[35/2000] [Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] (2) Where a licensee has been awarded such number of demerit points as may be prescribed under section 15(1), the appropriate Licensing Officer may require a licensee to give security in such form and manner as the appropriate Licensing Officer may determine that the provisions of this Act and the conditions of the licence will be duly observed.

[35/2000] [Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] (3) Where any applicant is required under subsection (1), or any licensee is required under subsection (2), to enter into a bond, the appropriate Licensing Officer may require not more than 2 sureties to enter into the bond with the applicant or the licensee, as the case may be.

[35/2000] [Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] (4) Any security given under subsection (1) or (2) shall be liable to forfeiture in whole or in part at the discretion of the appropriate Licensing Officer — (a) on the suspension or cancellation of the licence;

[Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] (b) where the licensee has been awarded such number of demerit points as may be prescribed under section 15(1); or (c) where the appropriate Licensing Officer is satisfied that the public entertainment has been carried out in contravention of this Act.

[35/2000] [Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] [Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] (5) The appropriate Licensing Officer shall, before proceeding under subsection (4), give the licensee or the person whose licence is cancelled, as the case may be — (a) notice in writing of his intention to do so; and (b) an opportunity to be heard, within such time as may be specified in the notice, as to why the security should not be forfeited.

[35/2000] [Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] (6) Any licensee, or person whose licence is cancelled, who is aggrieved by the decision of the appropriate Licensing Officer under subsection (4) may appeal in writing to the appropriate Minister within 14 days after being notified of the decision or such extended period as the Minister may allow in any particular case.

[Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] Licence to be displayed 12. At all times while the public entertainment described in a licence is being provided the licence shall, where the public entertainment is held in a building or tent, be prominently displayed at the building or tent and in all other cases the licence shall be kept in the possession of the licensee.

Refusal of licence 13.—(1) The appropriate Licensing Officer may, in his discretion, refuse to issue or renew any licence.

[35/2000] [Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] (1A) The appropriate Licensing Officer must, before refusing to renew a licence, give the licensee a written notice of the intention to do so and an opportunity to submit reasons, within the period specified in that notice, as to why the application to renew the licence should not be refused.

[Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] (2) The appropriate Licensing Officer shall, if so required by the applicant or the licensee, as the case may be, furnish the applicant or the licensee within 7 days of being so required with the grounds of such refusal in writing.

[35/2000] [Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] (3) Any applicant or licensee who is aggrieved by the refusal of the appropriate Licensing Officer to issue or renew a licence may appeal in writing to the appropriate Minister within 14 days after being furnished with the grounds of the refusal or such extended period as the Minister may allow in any particular case.

[Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] (4) Where the appropriate Minister decides to grant the appeal for the issue or renewal of a licence, he may impose such conditions as he thinks fit.

[35/2000] [Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] Suspension or cancellation of licence 14.—(1) The appropriate Licensing Officer may, in his discretion, suspend or cancel a licence, as the case may be, if he is satisfied that the public entertainment for which it was issued — (a) has been the cause or is likely to be the cause of a breach of the peace;

(b) has been or is likely to be wholly or in part of an indecent, immoral, offensive, subversive or improper nature;

(c) has caused or is likely to cause unnecessary suffering or any injury to any person or animal taking part in it, or to any member of the audience;

[Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] (d) has been or is likely to be provided in contravention of any provision of this Act;

[Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] (e) has been or is likely to be provided in contravention of any condition of the licence; or [Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] (f) is contrary to public interest.

[Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] [Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] (2) The appropriate Licensing Officer may, in his discretion, suspend or cancel a licence, as the case may be, if he is satisfied that the licensee is not a fit and proper person to hold such licence.

[35/2000] [Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] (3) Where the appropriate Minister has made rules under section 15(1) in respect of a licence, the appropriate Licensing Officer must not suspend or cancel the licence under subsection (1)(e) unless the licensee has accumulated such number of demerit points as prescribed under section 15(1).

[Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] (3A) Before suspending or cancelling a licence, the appropriate Licensing Officer must, unless it is not practicable or desirable to do so in the circumstances of the case, give the licensee a written notice of the intention to do so and an opportunity to submit reasons, within the period specified in that notice, as to why the licence should not be suspended or cancelled.

[Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] (4) The appropriate Licensing Officer shall, if so required by the licensee, furnish the licensee within 7 days of being so required with the grounds in writing of the suspension or cancellation of his licence.

[Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] (5) Any person who is aggrieved by the suspension or cancellation of the person’s licence by the appropriate Licensing Officer may appeal in writing to the appropriate Minister within 14 days after being furnished with the grounds of the suspension or cancellation or such extended period as the Minister may allow in any particular case.

[Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] (6) Where the appropriate Minister decides to restore a licence, he may impose such conditions as he thinks fit.

[Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] Demerit points 15.—(1) The appropriate Minister may, for the purposes of sections 10, 11 and 14(3), make rules to establish a system of awarding demerit points against a licensee for the commission of an offence under section 19(1)(c).

[35/2000] [Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] (2) For the purposes of this section, demerit points may be awarded against a licensee notwithstanding that the licensee has accepted an offer by the appropriate Licensing Officer to compound the offence concerned.

[35/2000] [Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] (3) Where a licence is cancelled under section 14, every demerit point awarded against the licensee in respect of the licence shall be cancelled.

[14A [35/2000] Classification of content of arts entertainment 15A.—(1) The Arts Entertainment Licensing Officer may issue, from time to time, one or more codes for the classification of the content of arts entertainments or classes of arts entertainments.

(2) A licensee must not provide any arts entertainment unless its content has been classified by the Arts Entertainment Licensing Officer.

(3) A licensee must not provide any classified arts entertainment unless its form and content are the same as that which have been classified by the Arts Entertainment Licensing Officer.

(4) In this section and sections 15B and 15C, a reference to an arts entertainment includes a reference to — (a) an arts entertainment licensed by the Public Entertainment Licensing Officer; and (b) an arts entertainment which is provided or to be provided in combination with any other public entertainment.

[Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/03/2016] Duties of licensee providing arts entertainment 15B.—(1) A licensee must — (a) furnish to the Arts Entertainment Licensing Officer all relevant information and documents that the Arts Entertainment Licensing Officer requires for the purpose of determining the classification of the content of an arts entertainment;

(b) comply with such procedures and requirements as the Arts Entertainment Licensing Officer may direct in relation to the classification of the content of the arts entertainment; and (c) pay the Arts Entertainment Licensing Officer such fee as may be prescribed, within such time as the Arts Entertainment Licensing Officer may specify, for the classification of the content of the arts entertainment.

(2) The Arts Entertainment Licensing Officer may refuse to classify the content of an arts entertainment if — (a) the licensee does not comply with subsection (1); or (b) any information or document provided to the Arts Entertainment Licensing Officer under subsection (1)(a) is incomplete or inaccurate.

[Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/03/2016] Directions by Arts Entertainment Licensing Officer 15C.—(1) Where the Arts Entertainment Licensing Officer is of the opinion that an arts entertainment is being provided or is likely to be provided by a licensee in contravention of section 15A(2) or (3), the Arts Entertainment Licensing Officer may direct the licensee — (a) to remove such content from the arts entertainment as the Arts Entertainment Licensing Officer determines; or (b) to refrain from or cease providing the arts entertainment either for the duration of the licence or for such shorter period as the Arts Entertainment Licensing Officer determines, and the licensee must comply with the direction.

(2) Before issuing any direction to a licensee under subsection (1), the Arts Entertainment Licensing Officer must, unless it is not practicable or desirable to do so in the circumstances of the case, give the licensee a written notice of the intention to do so and an opportunity to submit reasons, within the period specified in that notice, as to why the direction should not be issued.

(3) Any licensee who is aggrieved by a direction of the Arts Entertainment Licensing Officer under subsection (1) may appeal in writing to the Minister charged with the responsibility for the licensing of arts entertainments within 14 days after being notified of the direction or such extended period as the Minister may allow in any particular case.

[Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/03/2016] Appeals to Minister 16.—(1) Any person who makes an appeal to a Minister under section 10(5), 11(6), 13(3), 14(5) or 15C(3) must, within the period specified in that provision for the making of the appeal — (a) state the circumstances in which the appeal arises and the issues and grounds for the appeal; and (b) submit all relevant facts, evidence and arguments in respect of the appeal.

(2) Where an appeal is made to a Minister under any of the provisions specified in subsection (1), the Minister may require — (a) any party to the appeal; or (b) any person who is not a party to the appeal but appears to the Minister to have any information or document that is relevant to the appeal, to provide the Minister with such information or document as the Minister may require for the purpose of considering and determining the appeal; and any person so required to provide the information or document must provide it in such manner and within such period as may be specified by the Minister.

(3) A Minister may reject an appeal made to him under any of the provisions specified in subsection (1) if the appellant fails to comply with subsection (1) or (2) in respect of that appeal.

(4) Any appeal made to a Minister under any of the provisions specified in subsection (1) against a decision or direction, as the case may be, of the Licensing Officer shall not affect the operation of the decision or direction or prevent the taking of any action to implement the decision or direction unless otherwise provided in this Act or directed by the Minister in any particular case.

(5) A Minister may determine an appeal made to him under any of the provisions specified in subsection (1) against a decision or direction of the Licensing Officer by — (a) confirming, varying or reversing the decision or direction; or (b) requiring the Licensing Officer to reconsider the decision or direction, and the decision of the Minister shall be final.

[Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] Minister may designate others to hear appeals 16AA.—(1) A Minister may designate any of the following persons to hear and determine, in the Minister’s place, any appeal or a specific appeal to the Minister under section 10(5), 11(6), 13(3), 14(5) or 15C(3): (a) the Second Minister, if any, for his Ministry;

(b) any Minister of State for his Ministry;

(c) any Parliamentary Secretary to his Ministry.

(2) Any reference to a Minister in section 10(5), 11(6), 13(3) or (4), 14(5) or (6), 15C(3) or 16 includes a reference to a person designated by the Minister under subsection (1).

(3) To avoid doubt, in this section — “Minister of State” includes a Senior Minister of State;

“Parliamentary Secretary” includes a Senior Parliamentary Secretary.

[Act 16 of 2016 wef 10/06/2016] Exemption 16A.—(1) The Minister may, by order published in the Gazette, exempt any person or class of persons, or any public entertainment or series or class of public entertainments, from all or any of the provisions of this Act, subject to such conditions or restrictions as may be specified in the order.

(2) In this section, “Minister” means — (a) the Minister charged with the responsibility for the licensing of arts entertainments insofar as the power under this section is exercised in connection with section 15A, 15B or 15C; and (b) the appropriate Minister insofar as the power under this section is exercised in connection with any other provision of this Act.

[Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] Powers of entry and inspection 17.—(1) The Licensing Officer or any police officer may enter any place where a licensed public entertainment is being provided with a view to ascertaining whether the conditions of the licence and the provisions of this Act are being complied with.

[Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] (2) Nothing in this section or section 17A, 17B or 18 shall derogate from the powers of a police officer under the Criminal Procedure Code (Cap. 68).

[Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] Powers of investigation 17A.—(1) The Licensing Officer may, for the purposes of investigating an offence under this Act or the contravention of any provision of this Act, do all or any of the following: (a) require any person whom the Licensing Officer reasonably believes to have committed that offence or contravention to furnish evidence of that person’s identity;

(b) require any person, whom the Licensing Officer reasonably believes has — (i) any information; or (ii) any document or article in the person’s possession, custody or control, relevant to the investigation, to furnish that information, or produce that document or article;

(c) issue a written notice requiring any person within the limits of Singapore, who appears to be acquainted with the facts or circumstances of the matter, to attend before the Licensing Officer;

(d) examine orally any person who appears to be acquainted with the facts or circumstances of the matter — (i) whether before or after that person or anyone else is charged with an offence in connection with the matter; and (ii) whether or not that person is to be called as a witness in any inquiry, trial or other proceeding in connection with the matter.

(2) Any person examined under this section shall be bound to state truly what the person knows of the facts and circumstances of the matter, except that the person need not say anything that might expose the person to a criminal charge, penalty or forfeiture.

(3) A statement made by any person examined under this section must — (a) be reduced to writing;

(b) be read over to the person;

(c) if the person does not understand English, be interpreted to the person in a language that the person understands; and (d) after correction (if necessary), be signed by the person.

(4) If any person fails to comply with a written notice issued to the person under subsection (1)(c), the Licensing Officer may report the failure to a Magistrate who may then, in the Magistrate’s discretion, issue a warrant ordering that person to comply with the written notice.

(5) Subject to subsection (6), the Licensing Officer may take possession or make copies of any document or article produced under subsection (1)(b), for further investigation.

(6) Anything taken possession of by the Licensing Officer under subsection (5) — (a) must be placed in safe custody by the Licensing Officer; and (b) unless ordered otherwise by the court, may be retained until the completion of the investigation or any proceedings (including proceedings on appeal) in which it may be in evidence.

(7) Any person who, without reasonable excuse, refuses or fails — (a) to furnish any information, or produce any document or article, required of the person by the Licensing Officer under subsection (1); or (b) to comply with any notice issued to the person under subsection (1)(c), shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000.

(8) In this section and section 17B, a reference to the Licensing Officer shall include a police officer.

[Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] Disposal and forfeiture of documents and articles 17B.—(1) Any document or article retained by the Licensing Officer under section 17A(5) shall — (a) where the document or article is produced in any criminal trial, be dealt with in accordance with section 364 of the Criminal Procedure Code (Cap. 68); or (b) in any other case, be returned to the owner or, if the owner is not known, reported to a Magistrate.

(2) Where the report of any document or article is made to a Magistrate under subsection (1)(b), the Magistrate may order the document or article to be forfeited or to be disposed of in such manner as the Magistrate thinks fit.

(3) Nothing in this section shall be taken to prejudice any right to retain or dispose of any property which may exist in law apart from this section.

[Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] Powers of arrest 18.—(1) The Licensing Officer or any police officer may arrest without warrant any person — (a) whom he reasonably suspects of committing or attempting to commit, or abetting any person to commit, any offence under this Act; and (b) who refuses to furnish his name and address or who furnishes a name and address reasonably suspected of being false or who furnishes an address outside Singapore or who is reasonably suspected of being likely to abscond.

[Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] (2) Every person so arrested shall be taken to a police station and shall thereafter be dealt with as if he had been arrested under section 65 of the Criminal Procedure Code 2010.

[17 [15/2010 wef 02/01/2011] General offences 19.—(1) Any person who provides or assists in providing any public entertainment — (a) without a licence issued under this Act;

(b) while the licence is suspended;

(c) in contravention of any condition of a licence; or (d) in contravention of this Act, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000.

[9/79; 35/2000] (2) For the purposes of subsection (1), no person shall be deemed to have provided or assisted in providing public entertainment merely by reason of his having taken part in the public entertainment provided.

[18 [Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] (3) Any person who, being required to make any statement or furnish any information or document under this Act — (a) makes any statement or furnishes any information or document which is false or misleading in a material particular; and (b) knows or ought reasonably to know that, or is reckless as to whether, it is false or misleading in a material particular, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000.

[Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] [Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] Service of documents 20.—(1) A document that is permitted or required to be served on a person under this Act may be served as described in this section.

(2) A document may be served on an individual — (a) by giving it to the individual personally;

(b) by sending it by pre‑paid registered post to the address specified by the individual for the service of documents under this Act or, if no address is so specified, the individual’s residential or business address;

(c) by leaving it at the individual’s residential address with an adult person apparently residing there, or at the individual’s business address with an adult person apparently employed there;

(d) by affixing a copy of the document in a conspicuous place at the individual’s residential or business address;

(e) by sending it by fax to the fax number given by the individual as the fax number for the service of documents under this Act; or (f) by sending it by email to the individual’s email address.

(3) A document may be served on a partnership (other than a limited liability partnership) — (a) by giving it to any partner, secretary or other like officer of the partnership;

(b) by leaving it at, or by sending it by pre‑paid registered post to, the partnership’s business address;

(c) by sending it by fax to the fax number used at the partnership’s business address; or (d) by sending it by email to the partnership’s email address.

(4) A document may be served on a body corporate (including a limited liability partnership) or an unincorporated association — (a) by giving it to the secretary or other like officer of the body corporate or unincorporated association or the limited liability partnership’s manager;

(b) by leaving it at, or by sending it by pre‑paid registered post to, the body corporate’s or unincorporated association’s registered office or principal office in Singapore;

(c) by sending it by fax to the fax number used at the body corporate’s or unincorporated association’s registered office or principal office in Singapore; or (d) by sending it by email to the body corporate’s or unincorporated association’s email address.

(5) Service of a document on a person under this section takes effect — (a) if the document is sent by fax and a notification of successful transmission is received, on the day of the transmission;

(b) if the document is sent by email, at the time that the email becomes capable of being retrieved by the person; and (c) if the document is sent by pre‑paid registered post, 2 days after the day the document was posted (even if it is returned undelivered).

(6) A document may be served on a person under this Act by email only with that person’s prior written consent.

(7) This section does not apply to documents to be served in proceedings in court.

(8) In this section — “business address” means — (a) in the case of an individual, the individual’s usual or last known place of business in Singapore; and (b) in the case of a partnership (other than a limited liability partnership), the partnership’s principal or last known place of business in Singapore;

“email address” means the last email address given by the addressee concerned as the email address for the service of documents under this Act;

“residential address” means an individual’s usual or last known place of residence in Singapore.

[Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] Composition of offences 21.—(1) The Licensing Officer may, in the Licensing Officer’s discretion, compound any offence under this Act which is prescribed as a compoundable offence by collecting from a person reasonably suspected of having committed the offence a sum not exceeding the lower of the following: (a) one half of the amount of the maximum fine that is prescribed for the offence;

(b) $5,000.

[Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] (2) [Deleted by Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] (3) On payment of such sum of money, no further proceedings shall be taken against such person in respect of the offence.

[18B [35/2000] (4) All sums collected under this section must be paid into the Consolidated Fund.

[Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] Onus of proof 22. In any proceedings under this Act the onus of proving that the public or any class of the public did not have access to any public entertainment shall lie on the person alleging the fact.

[19 Rules 23.—(1) The Minister may make rules for any of the following purposes: (a) to prescribe the fees or charges in respect of any matter or thing to be done or required under or for the purposes of this Act, including for any application or licence;

[Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] (b) to prescribe the matters required or permitted to be prescribed by this Act;

[Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] (c) to prescribe the hours during which public entertainment may be provided;

(d) generally to give effect to the provisions of this Act.

[35/2000] (1A) In this section, “Minister” means — (a) the Minister charged with the responsibility for the licensing of arts entertainments insofar as the power under this section is exercised in connection with section 15A, 15B or 15C; and (b) the appropriate Minister insofar as the power under this section is exercised in connection with any other provision of this Act.

[Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] (2) All rules made under this Act shall be presented to Parliament as soon as possible after publication in the Gazette.

[20 [35/2000]

THE SCHEDULE Section 2(1) MEANING OF PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT 1. In this Schedule — [Deleted by Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] “arts entertainment” means any of, or any combination of, the following: (a) any play, opera, pantomime, puppet-show or tableaux;

[Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] (b) any display of set pieces, commemorative decorations or representations of real or mythical creatures;

(c) any exhibition of models, reading matter, pictures, photographs or of statuary or other forms of representation of human or animal figures;

(d) any display or exhibition of other still objects or art generally;

[Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] (e) any play-reading, poetry-reading or recital;

[Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] (f) any variety act or performance of music, singing or dancing;

[Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] (g) any display or exhibition using real‑time transmission of the performance, display or exhibition happening elsewhere (whether in or outside Singapore and whether in a public or private place) of any item, or any combination of the items, specified in paragraphs (a) to (f), [Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] in any place to which the public or any class of the public has access whether gratuitously or otherwise;

[S 292/2002 wef 01/07/2002] “film” means — (a) any cinematograph film;

(b) any video recording;

(c) any record, however made, of a sequence of visual images, which is a record capable of being used as a means of showing that sequence as a moving picture; or (d) any other material, record or thing on which is recorded or stored for immediate or future retrieval any information that, by the use of any computer or electronic device, is capable of being reproduced or displayed as wholly or partly visual moving pictures;

“pin-table” means any table, board or other appliance operated by hand or by coin, disc, electricity or any other means which is designed to enable the operator to play a game, success in which is measured by the propulsion of one or more movable objects towards targets or goals or by the attainment of a number of points or by both;

“real‑time transmission”, in relation to the performance, display or exhibition of any item or any combination of the items specified in paragraphs (a) to (f) of the definition of “arts entertainment”, means the simultaneous audio or visual transmission, through the Internet or other form of communication network, to any place of the item or combination of the items being performed, displayed or exhibited at any other place, including any reasonable period of delay, due to any technical or other reason, between the performance, display or exhibition of the item or combination of the items and the audio or visual transmission of such performance, display or exhibition;

[Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] “video recording” means any disc, magnetic tape or solid state recording device containing information by the use of which one or more series of visual images may be produced electronically and shown as a moving picture.

2. “Public entertainment” includes — (a) any performance of gymnastics, acrobatics or legerdemain, demonstration, display or parade;

[Act 32 of 2014 wef 01/01/2015] (b) [Deleted by S 292/2002 wef 01/07/2002] (c) any circus or any exhibition of animals;

(d) any amusement centre;

[S 349/2011 wef 01/07/2011] (e) any computer games centre;

(f) [Deleted by S 292/2002 wef 01/07/2002] (g) any exhibition of film, or any peep-show;

[S 292/2002 wef 01/07/2002] (h) any reproduction or transmission otherwise than in association with a film, by any means other than telephony or radio telephony, of any music, song or speech;

(i) any machine or device by the manipulation of which chances are given of obtaining prizes in money or kind;

(j) any pin-table;

(k) any sporting contest of any kind between any number of persons or animals, other than that organised by any registered society, trade union, company or association;

(l) any organised competition at games of skill or chance;

(m) [Deleted by Act 15/2009 wef 09/10/2009] (ma) any arts entertainment; or [S 292/2002 wef 01/07/2002] (n) any combination of any of the above forms of public entertainment, in any place to which the public or any class of the public has access whether gratuitously or otherwise.

3. “Public entertainment” does not include — (a) public entertainment at gatherings and celebrations officially arranged by the official representative in Singapore of any government;

(b) public entertainment provided by or under the auspices of the Government or any department of the Government or any authority constituted under any written law relating to local government;

(c) ceremonies, rites, services and celebrations lawfully conducted by priests or ministers of religion in premises consecrated generally or specifically for the conduct thereof where any discourse, sermon, lecture, talk or address at such ceremonies, rites, services and celebrations is only given by persons who are citizens or permanent residents of Singapore;

[S 671/2001 wef 01/01/2002] (d) addresses, debates and discussions at meetings of public companies, chambers of commerce, registered trade unions, registered political associations or exempted or registered societies from which persons who are not shareholders or members, as the case may be, are excluded;

[15/2009 wef 09/10/2009] (e) public entertainment provided by or under the auspices of any statutory board constituted by or under any written law for a public purpose; and [S 589/2004 wef 27/09/2004] [15/2009 wef 09/10/2009] (f) any lecture, talk, address, debate or discussion in any place to which the public or any class of the public has access whether gratuitously or otherwise.

[15/2009 wef 09/10/2009] [35/2000]

=See also=


 * Singapore gay censorship

=References=


 * Public Entertainments and Meetings Act (Chapter 257) on Singapore Statutes Online:.