Granting of Public Entertainment Category One Licences

The following questions stood in the name of

Ms Janice Koh: –

8 To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs (a) how are Public Entertainment (PE) Category One licences for music and entertainment establishments assessed, granted and renewed; (b) whether there is a quota for such licences in each precinct or neighbourhood; and (c) if so, how does the Ministry assess the relative merits of renewing the licences of incumbent businesses against awarding licences to new players.

9 To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs (a) why the "live" music venue, Broadcast HQ, is denied a Public Entertainment (PE) Category One licence while other entertainment outlets like KTV lounges are allowed to operate under such a licence on the same street; and (b) when assessing licence applications and renewals, whether consideration can be given to an establishment's potential to promote the local music industry and enhance the vibrancy and attractiveness of a precinct or neighbourhood.

Mr Nicholas Fang (Nominated Member): Question No 8.

The Second Minister for Home Affairs (Mr S Iswaran) (for the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs): Mdm Speaker, may I have your permission to take Question Nos 8 and 9 together?

Mdm Speaker: Yes, please.

Mr S Iswaran: Madam, in considering and approving public entertainment licences, the Police works with other relevant Government agencies and they take into account and consideration a variety of factors, such as the background of the applicants, the law and order situation and the potential disamenities to the neighbourhood. There is currently no stipulated cap per se on the total number of licences in any particular area as the density and mix of developments and activities can vary significantly. Police, however, does review the situation at various localities regularly to see if additional controls should be put in place.

For the renewal of existing licences, Police also takes into account the track record and infringement history of the licence holder. Outlets that have a good record and do not attract adverse feedback from the local community will, generally, be allowed to continue their operations.

The Member had asked specifically about Broadcast HQ. The Broadcast HQ is located along Rowell Road in Little India. It has been granted a Category Two public entertainment licence which allows the transmission of recorded music. Since 2012, given the incidence of vice and other considerations, Police has stopped issuing new Category One public entertainment licences, and this category of licences would permit live music and dancing in establishments located in that area.

We will continue to calibrate our regulation to strike a balance between the need to maintain law and order, minimise disamenities to the local community and facilitate business and the growth of the arts industry.

Mr Nicholas Fang: Madam, one supplementary question. Would the Ministry consider engaging other agencies, such as National Arts Council or STB, to be able to provide a bit of a qualitative differentiation between establishments that try to promote live music, local talent and the local music industry versus a KTV lounge, for example. Would there be a need for that?

Mr S Iswaran: Madam, as I have said, indeed, that is the practice today. When an application is received, the Police will consult and obtain feedback and assessment from the relevant Government agencies, some of which the Member has mentioned. However, at the end of the day, the Police will also have to make a total assessment of the situation in a particular area before deciding whether a licence is to be granted and, if so, at what level.