Dated: 16 May 2001
For the first quarter of this year, the Films and Publications Department and the Police conducted about 600 raids, seized about 120,000 illegal videos and arrested about 600 persons. Compared to the same quarter last year, the number of persons arrested had increased by 50 per cent, while the number of raids and seizures are about the same.
In two raids conducted recently at Katong Shopping Centre, FPD enforcement officers and the Police seized some 6,500 illegal and obscene VCDs from three illegal shops in the Centre. Twenty-three persons, including three operators, were detained during the raids for investigations. The landlords of the shops were also called up for investigations.
Other areas raided by FPD and the Police in recent months include Sungei Road, Desker Road, Pitt Street, Bugis Village, Fu Lu Shou Complex, Tampines Central, Jurong East Street 13, Woodlands Street 31, Hougang Street 21 etc.
FPD takes a serious view on the distribution of obscene and uncensored videos. Under the Films Act, landlords of shops who let the premises for illegal video businesses, if convicted, shall be liable to a fine of up to $40,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 12 months.
Any person caught distributing obscene videos could be fined up to $80,000 and/or imprisonment of up to two years. Those caught distributing uncensored videos could be fined up to $40,000 and/or imprisonment of up to six months. Any person caught having obscene videos could be fined up to $1,000 per piece to a maximum of $40,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 12 months.
Anyone with information on the distribution of illegal videos can contact the Police or FPD’s enforcement hotline at Tel: 3722811.
Films and Publications Department
Ministry of Information and The Arts
16 May 2001
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