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One company was fined $30,000 and two others each fined $15,000 at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Court today (November 14) for contravening the Karaoke Establishments Ordinance.
The court heard that officers of the Home Affairs Department's Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA), disguised as customers, patronised three karaoke establishments in Mong Kok and Kowloon City in March and July.
Several signboards of karaoke establishments were displayed at the entrances to the premises. Inside, the officers found audio-visual and other devices for karaoke activity.
OLA records indicated that the three premises did not possess permit or license as required under Section 4(2) of the Karaoke Establishments Ordinance on the days of inspection.
A department spokesman said it was a criminal offence to operate an unlicensed karaoke establishment and he appealed to the public to report unlicensed karaoke establishments to the OLA on 2881 7498.
Ends/Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Issued at HKT 16:30
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