I was told TTB was kicked to prisons! GYH and JS found him a sore thumb.
CCK was sent there coz MHA opined it would be hard for KBH to control this maverick. GLK, being more compliant and obedient wouldn't give KBH headaches and was therefore made DCP. CCK had to leave SPF. He was retired early and moved to AETOS. Complaints from prisoners of proselytization. His DD had to go too - Jason Wong, I think.
NJH never featured in the race for CP until very recently. Initially it was Benedict Cheong who was the ang ang ang beh. The put $ take $ type even if it pays $6-$5. In the race then were people like Lum Hon Fye, Heng Swee Keat, Heng Chee How. When these 3 left, and BC had to leave, Lock Wai Han was the ang beh. He left. Both Soh-and-Soh were once touted as 'possibles' but were later marginalised. Wai Wah's with prison and Kee Hean (previous Dir CPIB) now in MND.
So, the appointment of NJH came as a surprise to many who worked with him in his early years. I figure he was one of the few left standing. Ifyou study his career progression, it only took off after he got his AC rank. Aubeck Kam and Wong Hong Kuan were rumoured to be in the running too, at one stage. Like HSK who rejected the post about 10-12 years ago, I doubt if Aubeck view this CP post favourably when he is likely to be made a PS pretty soon.