A restaurant owner operating inside Sultan Plaza has claimed that nearly 30 massage parlours and alleged vice-related establishments have opened in the building within just four months, causing severe damage to his business and changing the atmosphere of the once-family-friendly mall.
Speaking to Chinese daily Shin Min, the owner, surnamed Chen, said the number of massage parlours began increasing in 2025 before surging even further this year. According to him, the rapid expansion has created discomfort for both nearby businesses and regular customers.
Chen alleged that some female workers dressed revealingly would openly approach passers-by along the corridors during the daytime, directly asking whether they wanted massage services. He described the situation as increasingly bold and claimed it had negatively affected the image of the shopping complex.
One incident particularly upset him. On May 3, while unloading goods outside his restaurant in the morning, Chen allegedly saw a masseuse wrapped only in a bath towel sitting openly outside one of the parlours while waiting for customers. He said the woman remained there for around half an hour in full public view.
According to the report, Chen photographed the incident and sent it to building management. In footage shown to the newspaper, the woman was reportedly seen sitting on a sofa using her phone before quickly heading back inside after noticing she was being filmed.
Restaurant Business Reportedly Fell By 40 Per Cent
Chen claimed the situation has badly affected foot traffic to his eatery. He estimated that business had dropped by about 40 per cent after several of the massage parlours opened directly beside and opposite his restaurant.
He said many nearby residents who previously frequented the restaurant had stopped coming after noticing the growing number of parlours and workers lingering outside units. Chen also claimed some married couples argued after visiting the area, with wives allegedly questioning why their husbands chose to dine in such an environment.
The impact was especially noticeable during the Chinese New Year festive season. Chen shared that his restaurant previously received around 20 reunion dinner bookings annually, but this year reportedly secured only one reservation. He estimated losses exceeded S$18,000.
However, not all businesses in the building appeared equally concerned. Some shop owners interviewed reportedly told Shin Min they had become accustomed to the situation and did not feel affected.
Concerns Raised Over Sultan Plaza’s Changing Image
During a visit to the building, Shin Min reporters observed women standing along corridors on the lower floors allegedly soliciting customers. The report also stated that multiple dimly lit massage establishments were operating throughout the mall.
Some online advertisements linked to these parlours reportedly featured women in revealing clothing and allegedly promoted adult-oriented services openly online.
The report has since triggered discussion online about changing commercial environments in older Singapore malls and whether stricter enforcement may be needed if illegal activities are suspected.
At the time of reporting, there has been no official confirmation from authorities regarding allegations that illegal vice activities are operating inside Sultan Plaza.
Photos via Shin Min Daily News