SINGAPORE, Feb. 4 -- Massage parlours and salons used as fronts for vice activities are set to face tighter scrutiny in Singapore, with the authorities preparing to roll out stiffer regulations in the coming months, according to The Straits Times.

In a joint reply, the Singapore Police Force and the Housing Board said the police are reviewing the Massage Establishments Act.

"We will announce changes soon," they added.

The Act requires operators of massage establishments to be licensed, while exempting open-concept outlets and beauty or hair salons that do not offer massage services.

Such shops were previously regarded as lower-risk because they typically did not conduct full-body massages.

The authorities do not track how many of the...