4.—(1) An application for a licence in respect of any premises shall be made to the Director-General in such form or manner as the Director-General may require and shall be accompanied by —
(a)
the appropriate fee specified in the Second Schedule; and
[S 667/2024 wef 29/08/2024]
(b)
such particulars, information and documents as the Director-General may specify.
[S 667/2024 wef 29/08/2024]
(2) On receipt of an application under paragraph (1), the Director-General may —
(a)
issue a licence to the applicant subject to such conditions as he thinks fit to impose; or
(b)
refuse to issue a licence to the applicant.
(3) In determining whether to issue or refuse to issue a licence, the Director-General may consider the suitability of the premises to be licensed for the purpose or purposes mentioned in rule 3(1) for which those premises are to be used.
[S 667/2024 wef 29/08/2024]
(4) For the purposes of paragraph (3), the Director-General may, at any time —
(a)
enter and inspect the premises in respect of which the application is made, or cause such premises to be inspected by an authorised officer;
(b)
require the applicant to make available any relevant documentation for inspection and copying; and
(c)
require the applicant, at his own expense, to make such alteration or improvement to such premises or to provide, fix or install such facilities and equipment as the Director-General may specify.
(5) The Director-General may refuse to issue a licence to an applicant if —
(a)
the applicant or one of his partners or, if the applicant is a body corporate, one of its directors —
(i)
had previously been convicted of an offence under the Act; or
(ii)
had previously held a licence issued under the Act and the licence was subsequently suspended or revoked under section 62 of the Act; or
(b)
in the opinion of the Director-General, the premises in respect of which the licence is being applied for are not suitable for the purpose or purposes mentioned in rule 3(1) for which those premises are to be used.
[S 667/2024 wef 29/08/2024]
(6) The Director-General may, at any time, vary or revoke any of the existing conditions imposed under paragraph (2)(a) or impose new conditions.
(7) Every licence issued under this rule —
(a)
shall be in such form as the Director-General may determine;
(b)
shall be valid for the period stated therein unless it is revoked under section 62 of the Act; and
(c)
may be renewed upon its expiry.
(8) Paragraphs (1) to (7) shall apply, with the necessary modifications, to an application for the renewal of a licence.