MyPaper: NSP Christopher Neo 'in wrong place wrong time'

[elephanto]

Well, well.

MyPaper reports today that Christopher Neo, NSP Vice Chairman was implicated when police raided a billiard saloon in Golden Mile Complex that has illegally installed jackpot machines.

Christopher thought the place was his friend's 'private club', & thought one-arm bandits are commonplace & legal in private clubs.

He was shocked when he was handcuffed for the first time in his life together with a few others for 'suspected illegal gambling'.

NSP has no comments since police are investigating.

Neo apologised for any misunderstanding caused & said he 'was in the wrong place at the wrong time'.

* * * * *

This is really an unfortunate incident given NSP's increasing visibility & growing credibility.

I can only despair & wonder at the bad luck happening to NSP people. First, Steve Chia, now Christopher Neo.

Goh Meng Seng, don't get tragic on us.....

 

[commoner]

kena bio or wrong place at the wrong time or the message wanna gamble go rws

 

[elephanto]

I think moral of story stay away from Golden Mile Complex ..... sleazy place where you might run into tonychat amongst other dangers.....

 

[Perspective]

I believe it would be helpful if the opposition's supporters don't do the job of the MSM. The more it spreads, the more it will spread.

 

[scroobal]

Really a silly explanation. If he has no idea about a thing like that, how is going to know anything about public affairs. Maybe he is working the wrong ground.

Well, well.

MyPaper reports today that Christopher Neo, NSP Vice Chairman was implicated when police raided a billiard saloon in Golden Mile Complex that has illegally installed jackpot machines.


.

 

[aurvandil]

Really a silly explanation. If he has no idea about a thing like that, how is going to know anything about public affairs. Maybe he is working the wrong ground.

Under normal circumstances, this would make a nice juicy scandal.

Unfortunately the PAP just opened 2 S$10 billion casinos. The moral high ground against gambling has therefore been lost. KBW recently described operating a casino as "making a honest living".

If you follow the gambling threads, there is widespread unhappiness against the $100 levy. If a lot of attention is focused on this issue, it will redraw unwanted attention to the levy. While politically correct, the effect of the levy is to drive Singaporeans to gamble in alternative locations. In the longer run, it is an open secret that the casinos will eventually have to be allowed to circumvent the levy with some clever scheme. If this is not done, the operators will run into serious cash flow problems and require a bailout using taxpayers monies. Based on the performance of RWS so far, most analysts feel that the current casino operations are underperforming expectations.

On a worst case basis, this could reignite the public debate over whether we should be having casinos in Singapore in the first place. It is hard to take a strong anti-gambling stance when you are issuing licenses to run casinos. Also when the issue first surfaced, most of the Opposition parties were strongly against the idea. Play this up and the casinos will become a new hot topic for the upcoming elections.

 

[kingrant]

Depends on the charge. Whether he's accused of running a gambling hall, or whether he was in fact pulling at the one-armed bandits. Even if he were, how would he know his friend hadnt sought the permit? Was there grounds to presume he has prior knowledge or that he must have done due diligence before entering? How many people actually go check up on the gambling permit when they enter a friend's club. You just assume yr friend must have done the due diligence.

The best way to deal with the situation is the honest way by giving fullest cooperation to the police. If his reason is genuine, he should have no problem.

Well, well.

MyPaper reports today that Christopher Neo, NSP Vice Chairman was implicated when police raided a billiard saloon in Golden Mile Complex that has illegally installed jackpot machines.

Christopher thought the place was his friend's 'private club', & thought one-arm bandits are commonplace & legal in private clubs.

He was shocked when he was handcuffed for the first time in his life together with a few others for 'suspected illegal gambling'.

NSP has no comments since police are investigating.

Neo apologised for any misunderstanding caused & said he 'was in the wrong place at the wrong time'.

* * * * *

This is really an unfortunate incident given NSP's increasing visibility & growing credibility.

I can only despair & wonder at the bad luck happening to NSP people. First, Steve Chia, now Christopher Neo.

Goh Meng Seng, don't get tragic on us.....

 

[kingrant]

Nothing to do with the govt 's moral high ground or whatsoever. The two casinos were cleared for take off, to be that - gambling estabs in a very public way.

In this case, jackpot machines were found in a billiard saloon, not something that you can call usual. They are not water-coolers, for Chris' sake.

You can fault Chris for not raising alarms but you can't stop the govt from arresting ilegal 4D outlets, or illegal gambling dens.

Under normal circumstances, this would make a nice juicy scandal.

Unfortunately the PAP just opened 2 S$10 billion casinos. The moral high ground against gambling has therefore been lost. KBW recently described operating a casino as "making a honest living".

If you follow the gambling threads, there is widespread unhappiness against the $100 levy. If a lot of attention is focused on this issue, it will redraw unwanted attention to the levy. While politically correct, the effect of the levy is to drive Singaporeans to gamble in alternative locations. In the longer run, it is an open secret that the casinos will eventually have to be allowed to circumvent the levy with some clever scheme. If this is not done, the operators will run into serious cash flow problems and require a bailout using taxpayers monies. Based on the performance of RWS so far, most analysts feel that the current casino operations are underperforming expectations.

On a worst case basis, this could reignite the public debate over whether we should be having casinos in Singapore in the first place. It is hard to take a strong anti-gambling stance when you are issuing licenses to run casinos. Also when the issue first surfaced, most of the Opposition parties were strongly against the idea. Play this up and the casinos will become a new hot topic for the upcoming elections.

 

[elephanto]

The more it spreads, the more it will spread.

It was reported in the morning MyPaper, a free paper with substantial circulation. I refrain from posting my comments until late in the evening. I have served my own time embargo seriously.

Depends on the charge. Whether he's accused of running a gambling hall, or whether he was in fact pulling at the one-armed bandits.

No details given, but given his quotes & the fact that he was handcuffed, I think he must be caught playing the jackpot machines. Otherwise, playing billiards is a non-seizable offence even in a saloon with illegal gambling machines. Maybe he will be charged with being in an illegal gambling place - hopefully if fine, it won't disqualify him from standing.

Was hoping actually to hear more from NSP Sec-General.

 

[fivestars]

Singapore is a Casino Country. This is the fact of Story. As far voter support him to contest, nobody can stop him from political career.

NSP shall not been an unreasonable party. Stand up, Wake Up and Support our Christopher Neo, NSP Vice Chairman.

 

[Goh Meng Seng]

It was reported in the morning MyPaper, a free paper with substantial circulation. I refrain from posting my comments until late in the evening. I have served my own time embargo seriously.


No details given, but given his quotes & the fact that he was handcuffed, I think he must be caught playing the jackpot machines. Otherwise, playing billiards is a non-seizable offence even in a saloon with illegal gambling machines. Maybe he will be charged with being in an illegal gambling place - hopefully if fine, it won't disqualify him from standing.

Was hoping actually to hear more from NSP Sec-General.

I have commented on the issue to the media.

1) After listening to Chris on the circumstances of the case, we feel that it is premature to take any actions on Chris. We will respect the due process of police investigation as well as the judiciary process if any.

2) Chris is not the member of the club, neither is he the operator of the club. Whether he is KNOWINGLY involved in illegal gambling, we will let the police investigate on it.

3) I have told the reporters but not reported on the news that there are so many jackpots around Singapore nowadays, particularly NTUC Clubs and Safra Clubs, along with some other private clubs. It is not something "out of the blue" kind of things in Singapore and no one would suspect a private club which open their doors to do business, with jackpot machines are operating them illegally. Obviously, it is just too inconvenient for them to report this fact.

Anyway, it is a bit strange that the Sin Ming Daily reported that the club is still operating after the raid. I thought the police should have forced closures when any business entity is found to operate illegal gambling?

Goh Meng Seng

 

[kingrant]

Excellent rebuttal.

Anyway, it is a bit strange that the Sin Ming Daily reported that the club is still operating after the raid. I though the police should have forced closures when any business entity is found to operate illegal gambling?

 

[RonRon]

I have commented on the issue to the media.

1) After listening to Chris on the circumstances of the case, we feel that it is premature to take any actions on Chris. We will respect the due process of police investigation as well as the judiciary process if any.

2) Chris is not the member of the club, neither is he the operator of the club. Whether he is KNOWINGLY involved in illegal gambling, we will let the police investigate on it.

3) I have told the reporters but not reported on the news that there are so many jackpots around Singapore nowadays, particularly NTUC Clubs and Safra Clubs, along with some other private clubs. It is not something "out of the blue" kind of things in Singapore and no one would suspect a private club which open their doors to do business, with jackpot machines are operating them illegally. Obviously, it is just too inconvenient for them to report this fact.

Anyway, it is a bit strange that the Sin Ming Daily reported that the club is still operating after the raid. I though the police should have forced closures when any business entity is found to operate illegal gambling?

Goh Meng Seng

Good, I will be watching what action NSP will take If he knowingly in involve in illegal gambling..btw a NSP vice chairman should have enough IQ to know whether the jackpot machine is legal or not
If such simple thing he cannot judge is better for him not to serve our country as a candidate

 

[elephanto]

The last time I saw Chris Neo he was campaigning against Goh Chee Wee in Boon Lay. he doesn't strike me as dense.

I really believe he is simply plain 'suay'.

Since the club is reportedly still operating, may be it is a trivial case after all & soon, he might be let off with a warning ?!

 

[RonRon]

GMS may turn the table around and win the trust of the people if he do the right thing if he handle this situ fair and correctly. If I am GMS I will serve the interest of the people 1st at heart

 

[aurvandil]

Nothing to do with the govt 's moral high ground or whatsoever. The two casinos were cleared for take off, to be that - gambling estabs in a very public way.

In this case, jackpot machines were found in a billiard saloon, not something that you can call usual. They are not water-coolers, for Chris' sake.

You can fault Chris for not raising alarms but you can't stop the govt from arresting ilegal 4D outlets, or illegal gambling dens.

If he has done something illegal and it can be proven, then I am sure he will charged and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

I don't however think people are watching this because there is suddenly an unusual interest in the criminal justice system.

They are watching this coz he is the vice chairman of NSP and people are keen to see if this will destroy the NSP politically.

My view is that it is pretty much a political non-event. While it is a scandal, it would be dangerous to play this up because of the two casinos which just opened. Gambling and casinos are a political minefield which the PAP is keen to avoid.

Also for those who know Golden Mile, you will know that it is very obvious that this is a case of selective prosecution. Golden Mile is a known den of sin. Other than the billard halls, there are 2 Thai discos which are well known for FL Thai working girls. In the open areas, you can see many thai girls sitting and drinking with large groups of men. Somehow to police manage to miss arresting everyone else and only managed to catch the NSP vice chariman. What worse is that according to Sin Min, the billard hall is still in business after the arrest.

 

[elephanto]

Golden Mile is a known den of sin.

Just give that place a wide berth of space. Incidentally, other than Mypaper & ShinMin, I don't think Today or ST or TNP bother to report.

I believe there is limited political fallout. Unless police investigation outcome ups the stakes.

 

[Goh Meng Seng]

GMS may turn the table around and win the trust of the people if he do the right thing if he handle this situ fair and correctly. If I am GMS I will serve the interest of the people 1st at heart

I see this as non issue. PAP is open to people who have been committed of criminal charge of Official Secret Act to stand as candidate and be Minister.

And in this case, it is kind of similar whereby it may be committed UNKNOWINGLY.

Jackpot machines do not have stickers on them to say "I am Illegal".

Goh Meng Seng

 

[po2wq]

if evry so call club oso got 1-arm bandit, den who's going 2 play 1-arm bandits @ ze gahmen's gambling dens? ...

ofcos muz make sure 2 confiscate fr all u fellas la ...

 

[jonlatio]

...In the open areas, you can see many thai girls sitting and drinking with large groups of men. Somehow to police manage to miss arresting everyone else and only managed to catch the NSP vice chariman. What worse is that according to Sin Min, the billard hall is still in business after the arrest.

When i read, i thought it seemed a bit fishy... so coincidental, when he's there, kena raided....

So, was Christopher Neo at the Right place at the Right time then?