Chew is the Chess Master while Hong, Yang and Thio are mere pawns.
Chew was playing by the fence and waiting for the outcome, keeping the best moves for himself. He knew the monkey tricks of the trio and kept quiet while they deny convert actions. If Hong, Yang and Thio succeeded (unlikely given the regime and moslem interests), Chew will congratulate them and take the credit for the successful assault on bapoks.
Suppose the trio falter and the regime whips them, Chew will come forward as a reasonable bloke, earning trust of the regime as a 'Yes' man. He will take this chance if possible to remove the troublemakers' supporters by removing them from the pulpit, citing their wanton moves imperil the Anglican's mission to supplant local idols.
Notice the catholic head honcho distanced himself from the radical protestants by claiming on Sunday's Mouthpiece that he instructed his priests to ensure their catholic followers do not get embroil in the mess created by his inexperienced protestant rivals (rebels).