AMUSEMENT CENTRES (Control over operations)

Mr Yeo Choo Kok asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Culture (a) how many amusement centres there are in the Republic; (b) whether he is aware that video games available at these centres have an undesirable influence over school children and teenagers; and (c) if the Ministry of Culture has any plan to tighten control over the operation of these centres.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Culture (Mr S. Dhanabalan): Mr Speaker, Sir, there are 64 licensed amusement centres in the Republic.

My Ministry has been monitoring the operation of these amusement centres. We are aware of the undesirable influence these centres have on our young people. Many of them have become addicted and waste considerable time and money on these video games. Schools and parents have complained of students playing truant and squandering all their pocket money on video games and neglecting their studies. Some even resort to theft to finance this pastime. Members may remember that in February this year, three primary school students were arrested for committing a spate of burglaries. Police investigations revealed that they spent a considerable sum or most of the stolen money on video games in amusement centres. The amusement centres are also frequented by undesirable characters. Young people who visit these centres may come under the influence of these characters.

For some time now, the Ministry has stopped licensing new amusement centres. For the existing 64 amusement centres, stringent licensing conditions have been imposed, and regular inspections conducted to ensure their compliance. However, enforcement action is made difficult as these centres are scattered all over the island.

In view of the undesirable influence these amusement centres have over school children and teenagers, my Ministry is considering phasing out all these centres beginning with those near schools. The operators of these centres will be given adequate notice to wind up their business.