Detecting rebranding attempts through SPF licence application background checks and cases identified in past three years

Question:

Ms Elysa Chen: To ask the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs (a) whether the Singapore Police Force's licence application background checks can detect rebranding attempts where a new entity is registered by the same shop owner shortl y after enforcement action against the previous entity at the same premises; and (b) if so, how many such cases have been identified in the past three years.

Answer:

Mr K Shanmugam, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs:

1. Police’s licensing application assessment endeavours to detect if a person had previously applied for the same type of licence, whether at the same premises or elsewhere. They do not track the number of such cases.