[Big Sexy]

Director may examine women and girls and person in charge of them

156. (1) If the Director has reasonable cause to believe that —

(a) any woman or girl has been brought into Singapore either after having been purchased or by fraud, misrepresentation or any false pretence whether or not for the purpose of prostitution or of being sent from Singapore;

(b) the custody of any woman or girl has been acquired either after having been purchased or by fraud, misrepresentation or any false pretence whether or not for the purpose of prostitution or of being sent from Singapore;

(c) any woman or girl has been purchased either within or without Singapore for the purpose of being used, trained or disposed of as a prostitute; or

(d) any woman or girl is being detained against her will for the purpose of prostitution or of being sent from Singapore for immoral purposes,

the Director, or any person authorised in that behalf by him in writing, may require the woman or girl and any person who appears to have the custody or control of her to appear before him at any reasonable time and at any convenient place.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(2) The Director may examine the woman or girl as to her reasons for entering or being in Singapore and may examine the person respecting the woman or girl, and the woman or girl and the person shall be legally bound to answer such questions truthfully to the best of their ability.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


(3) The Director may also require any person in whose custody or under whose control the woman or girl appears to be to furnish him with copies of her and the person’s photograph and to furnish security to the satisfaction of the Director that she will not leave Singapore without the previous consent in writing of the Director and will not be trained or disposed of as a prostitute or for immoral purposes and will not, whether by way of adoption, marriage or otherwise, be transferred to the care and custody of any other person without the previous consent in writing of the Director and that she will be produced before the Director whenever he requires it.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


(4) In default of such photographs and security being given, the Director may by warrant under his hand order the woman or girl to be removed to a place of safety and there detained until she can be returned to the place from where she was brought or until other proper provision can be made for her welfare.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(5) Where the Director has reason to believe that the woman or girl may be sent from Singapore, he may issue an order for her to be detained in a place of safety until the determination of any inquiry or until after such arrangement has been made for her welfare as the Director considers necessary.