From 28 October 2023 to 12 November 2023, Central Police Division conducted an enforcement operation on liquor retail outlets at various locations, including within the Liquor Control Zone in Little India where there are stricter restrictions on the consumption and supply of liquor. Following the enforcement operation, a total of 14 retail outlets are being investigated for offences related to the Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act 2015.
Out of the 14 outlets, four outlets were found to have converted a portion of their retail outlet into a hidden makeshift area for customers to gather and consume alcohol, which is not permitted as these four outlets did not have the licence for liquor consumption on premises.
Under the Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act 2015, any licensee found guilty of contravening the prescribed trading hours within a Liquor Control Zone shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000.
Any person found guilty of supplying alcohol without a valid liquor licence shall be liable on conviction:
- to a fine not exceeding $20,000; and
- where the individual is a repeat offender, to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or to an imprisonment term not exceeding three months or to both.
The trading hours specified in the retail liquor licence for licensed premises in a Liquor Control Zone are as follows:
| a) | Beginning at 7 a.m. and ending immediately before 10.30 p.m. on any Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday; |
| b) | beginning at 7 a.m. and ending immediately before 7 p.m. on any Saturday or Sunday; |
| c) | despite sub-paragraphs (a) and (b), where any of those days is a public holiday:the daily trading hours begin at 7 a.m. and end before 7 p.m. on the eve of the public holiday; andthe daily trading hours begin at 7 a.m. and end immediately before 7 p.m. on each day that is a public holiday. |
The consumption and retail restrictions stipulated under the Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act 2015, including the stricter restrictions in the two Liquor Control Zones of Geylang and Little India, are implemented to maintain public law and order and mitigate disamenities arising from liquor consumption and drunkenness in public places. The Police will continue to take enforcement action against errant retail outlets, including effecting non-renewal or revocation of liquor licenses for those are recalcitrant.
