MR ALI Akbar, 46, the dormitory manager of Simpang Lodge 1, at 2B Yishun Avenue 7, has a security team, but he still prowls the grounds personally.

He also patrols the area about 10m to 20m outside, too.

'Wherever I see a thick growth of vegetation, I will walk through it once a week,' he said.

He does so to find clues of illegal activity.

The former Cisco security officer will go with one of his executives, but if no one is around, he'll go alone. He also has cameras monitoring the forested area.

He said the dormitory houses about 3,600 workers.

He said he works closely with the police. Not only does he ask for frequent patrols in the area, he also invites patrol cars into his compound.

'I want to make the police presence felt to keep the residents on their toes,' he said.

However, he said he has yet to encounter any illegal activity.

Simpang Lodge's marketing executive Wong Liping said it has facilities like a gymnasium, a TV room, a basketball court and even an Internet room. It also has a spacious cooking area.

Having such facilities keeps workers from straying outside.

'In other dorms, they can't cook, so they'll go out and explore... They may not approach girls, but girls may approach them,' she said.

Mr Tan Poo Seng, who owns View Road Worker Dormitory, said his dormitory is very well kept, but admitted he has no control over what goes on outside.

Gambling, drinking, cooking and bringing girls back are all not allowed there.

'We have two guards, one going around, one just outside checking people. No girls can go in,' he said.

Singapore Contractors Association Limited (Scal) executive director Simon Lee said women are generally not allowed in all-male premises and visitors must be registered and screened before being allowed entry.

While prostitutes appearing in workers dormitories in Singapore 'is an issue', he said it is 'not a common issue or regular happening at workers' dormitories that have good security measures'.

He said: 'Sex workers in workers' dormitory happen infrequently, but this could be because of the workers' physical needs. This must be properly managed within the law instead of allowing them to prowl in our neighbourhood residences.'

What can dormitories do to prevent such cases from happening?

He said: 'The dormitories' security system (CCTV, entry passes), guards, patrolling, strict discipline enforcement and working with neighbourhood police to deter such cases would help to prevent such things from happening.'

This story was first published in The New Paper on 25 January 2009.