Colonel Nelson Yau Thian Hock not investigated by MINDEF for any wrong-doing

The abrupt resignation by the former head of the NDP organizing committee 2012 and Commander of the Singapore 3rd division Colonel Nelson Yau Thian Hock for ‘personal reasons’ has set the rumor mills churning wild speculations as to the reasons behind his departure.

According to media reports, Colonel Yau is not under any internal investigation for MINDEF and he was not asked to resign. As such, he is still entitled to a pension upon retirement from the SAF.

Colonel Yau has been actively involved in the preparation for NDP 2012 and is expected to be promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General in the next three years. Furthermore, senior SAF officers have to give at least three months’ notice when they resign for security reasons.

In response to queries from the media, Director MINDEF Public Affairs Colonel Desmond Tan said:

“Col Nelson Yau, current Chief Guards Officer, has asked to leave the SAF for personal reasons. The SAF will be appointing a senior officer to take over the Chief Guards Officer post. The new Chief Guards Officer will also take on the responsibility of being Chairman of NDP 2012 Executive Committee.”

Meanwhile, preparation for the NDP will continue despite the change in leadership. The organizing committee’s deputy chairman Tay Boon Khai told the media that preparations ‘remain on track.’

 

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Lianhe Zaobao has apologized publicly to Colonel Perry Lim Cheng Yeow for mistaking him for Colonel Nelson Yau Thian Hock in an article published yesterday.

It made a big ‘boo-boo’ by putting the wrong photo of Colonel Yau Thian Hock on its front page and website in an article on Colonel Yau’s resignation as Chairman of National Day Parade 2012 organizing committee:

In a ‘rectification’ issued today, Lianhe Zaobao admitted it has used the wrong photo in the article and apologized to BG Perry Lim for any ‘inconvenience’ caused.

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Colonel Yau Thian Hock to be fielded as PAP candidate in Hougang by-election in April?

Is the PAP going to field Colonel Nelson Yau Thian Hock in the Hougang by-election which is widely speculated to be called in early April?

According to unverified sources, some civil servants have been appointed as election officers and will be attending a briefing soon on the Hougang by-election. Serangoon Junior College has also been earmarked as one of the polling stations.

Colonel Nelson Yau Thian Hock resigned abruptly from all positions in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) last week for ‘personal reasons’. He was the Chief Guards Officer, Commander of the Singapore 21st Division and Chairman of the Organizing Committee for National Day Parade 2012.

A few days later, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced in Parliament of his intention to call for a by-election in Hougang, but has not decided on the date.

During the General Election last year, Major General Chan Chun Sing and Brigadier General Tan Chuan Jin also tendered their resignation from SAF for ‘personal reasons’ before being fielded as PAP candidates in the election.

However, one PAP grassroots leaders debunked the rumors and told us that Mr Desmond Choo is likely to be fielded again:

“We have not received any instructions to mobilize volunteers for the election. Mr Desmond Choo has been working hard on the ground in Hougang for more than a year. It doesn’t make sense to parachute an ‘outsider’ into Hougang in the last minute,” he added.

Netizens also downplayed the likelihood of Colonel Yau being fielded in the by-election:

satayxp posted on Hardwarezone forum:

“it is incredulous n nonsense to suggest someone who quit in such abrupt and less than glorious manner be even considered as a by-election candidate.. rly joke. how can it be true”

twosix added:

“Cannot be lah. The col. has no chance of winning leh.”

 

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Colonel Nelson Yau Thian Hock has resigned as Chief Guards Officer and retired from SAF

Besides relinquishing his position as Chairman of the organizing committee for National Day Parade 2012, Colonel Nelson Yau Thian Hock has resigned as Chief Guards Officer, Commander of the 21st Division and retired from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) as well.

Lianhe Zaobao had earlier reported that Colonel Yau had resigned as the Head of NDP 2012, but did not elaborate on his present status in the SAF. It is understood that Colonel Yau had announced his resignation from all positions in the SAF to senior members of the NDP executive committee last Monday.

Colonel Yau has been actively involved in the preparation for NDP 2012 and is expected to be promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General in the next three years. Furthermore, senior SAF officers have to give at least three months’ notice when they resign for security reasons.

In response to queries from the media, Director MINDEF Public Affairs Colonel Desmond Tan said:

“Col Nelson Yau, current Chief Guards Officer, has asked to leave the SAF for personal reasons. The SAF will be appointing a senior officer to take over the Chief Guards Officer post. The new Chief Guards Officer will also take on the responsibility of being Chairman of NDP 2012 Executive Committee.”

The sudden departure of Colonel Yau for ‘personal reasons’ has set cyberspace abuzz with one forumer starting a thread on Hardwarezone titled “Top SAF Colonel suka suka resign from SAF – Singapore don’t need to defend liao.”

SAF should give a proper explanation to the public on why Colonel Yau is allowed to resign immediately and if his absence will affect the its daily operations and even national security. If top SAF generals and officers holding key positions were allowed to resign immediately and abruptly without any warning for ‘personal reasons’, can Singaporeans still trust the SAF to protect them during troubled times?

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PHOTO: Zaobao mistook Colonel Perry Lim for Colonel Yau Thian Hock and and put wrong photo on its front page and website

Lianhe Zaobao made a big ‘boo-boo’ by putting the wrong photo of Colonel Yau Thian Hock on its front page and website today in an article on Colonel Yau’s resignation as Chairman of National Day Parade 2012 organizing committee:

[Source: Zaobao.com]

[Source: MINDEF]

The man is the photo is Colonel Perry Lim Cheng Yeow, Commander of the 3rd Division as pointed out correctly by some amused forumers at Hardwarezone forum:

“fxxking hell, they even put the wrong photo of COL Yau in the news report. That person whom was featured is COL Perry Lim.” – ilovesupermarts

“The picture is wrong. I was stunned when I saw BG perry lim picture and I thought he resigned. Then I realised is another guy.” – 2359 hrs

“ZB journalist simple thing also can get wrong. Seriously doubt whatever else they say.” – sgOne

The photo has since been taken down on Zaobao.com:

[Source: Zaobao.com]

Unfortunately, nothing can be done on the thousands of hard copies of Lianhe Zaobao sold this morning with Colonel Perry Lim’s face mistakenly on the front page.

 

 

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