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Source:
www.mha.gov.sg |
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Oral Answer to Parliamentary Question on the
proliferation of cyber/ gaming cafes and pubs, especially in the
heartlands and within close proximity to schools; and measures to
control students from patronizing them. |
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Ms Ellen Lee Geck Hoon: |
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To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister for Home Affairs |
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(a) whether there is control over the
excessive proliferation of cyber/gaming cafes and pubs, especially in
the heartlands and within close proximity to schools; and |
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(b) whether there are measures to control
children and young persons, particularly students under 16 years of age,
from patronising them. |
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Senior Minister of State, A/P Ho Peng Kee: |
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Police are aware of the potential problems
of easy access by youths to cyber gaming. While computer gaming does not
in itself lead to delinquency, ease of accessibility may encourage
truancy and affect attitudes of students towards their academic work,
which may eventually lead to youth delinquency and crime. |
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Hence, the Police assess each application to
set up a computer gaming establishment on the suitability of its
location, amongst other criteria, before deciding whether to grant a
licence. |
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The Police do not allow computer gaming
establishments to be set up in HDB residential zones where most schools
are located. This is because such locations offer high accessibility to
youths. |
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Computer gaming establishments are only
allowed to be set up at shopping, recreational or commercial centres.
This includes HDB Town Centres, which are part commercial and part
residential. |
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In addition, licensees of computer gaming
centres are required not to admit persons below 16 years of age before
6.30 pm on a school day. |
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Further, the licensee has to ensure that
students wearing school uniforms are not admitted into the establishment
at any time, and is not allowed to provide a change of clothes to
students. |
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A breach of any of these licensing
conditions is an offence under the Public Entertainments and Meetings
Act. Errant licensees face a penalty of up to $10,000. There is also a
demerit points system to help regulate the licensees. Repeat offenders
may have their licences suspended or revoked. |
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Source:
www.mha.gov.sg News 12 Nov 2007 |
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FrontPage Edition: Tue 13 November 2007
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