BROTHELS

Mr Gerard Ee asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) what is his Ministry's stance on brothels; and (b) whether the number of such establishments is on the rise.

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee (for the Minister for Home Affairs): Sir, prostitution is not an offence under our laws. However, soliciting is an offence under the Miscellaneous Offences Act. Singapore is not the only country where prostitution is not an offence. Many other developed countries also adopt the same position.

Governments around the world through the ages have tried to eradicate prostitution and brothels, but without success. The Ministry of Home Affairs has thus adopted a pragmatic approach to the problem, by confining prostitution to traditional red light areas, and through enforcement against prostitutes who solicit in public, and pimps who force women into prostitution.

As a result of Police's enforcement actions, the level of vice activities in Singapore is under control.