Police arrest suspect over attack on MP
By Asha Popatlal, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 11 January 2009 2103 hrs

	Photos  of
	Related News • MP hospitalised after man pours flammable liquid on him, sets him on fire

SINGAPORE : The suspect who poured flammable liquid on Member of Parliament (MP) Seng Han Thong and set him on fire, has been arrested by police.

The man, a resident in Mr Seng's ward and whom the MP has been trying to help, has been in and out of the Institute of Mental Health.

The suspect will be charged in court on Monday for voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means in connection with the case.

Under the Penal Code, the offence of voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means carries a penalty of either imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 15 years, and the offender shall also be liable to a fine or caning.

Meanwhile, a steady stream of high-level visitors, including Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, visited the Burns Unit in Singapore General Hospital where Mr Seng has been warded.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who visited Mr Seng at the hospital, said MPs have to be accessible as they have to meet residents.

Mr Lee said the MPs can take precautions, like in the case of Mr Seng, who - following a previous attack - had grassroots leaders to watch out for him.

But this time, despite all the precautions, the man slipped through.

Mr Lee added that MPs will be on their guard but they will be continuing with their grassroots activities.

Giving an update on Mr Seng's condition, Mr Lee said fortunately his eyes are okay - although he has burns on his face, arms and chest.

Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng, who called it a violent act, said police are investigating, and that the person who committed the crime will be dealt with, according to the law.

Mr Wong said: "The matter of what the reason is and whatever condition the person is in - that is no reason to commit such a crime against anyone, not just an MP.

"This is a very serious offence, when a person prepares and brings flammable material and goes and burns another person, regardless of whether the victim is an MP or not."

However, Mr Wong added that it was difficult to avoid such an attack.

He said: "You do not expect someone to throw something at you from the back and burn you, so even if you have taken precautions, it will be difficult to avoid such a matter.

"MPs are public figures, they are elected by the people, they have a service to perform and therefore they must be accessible and approachable. Therefore we do not want to set up a major security operation every time an MP is out doing his work."

A hospital spokesperson said Mr Seng was stable and sedated and resting in the Intensive Care Unit, and will probably undergo skin graft surgery on Monday.

The MP for Yio Chu Kang, who is suffering between 10 and 15 per cent burns had been at a bursary and hong bao presentation ceremony at Yio Chu Kang Community Club when the attack happened.

The chairman of a nearby Chinese temple, Aw Chui Seng, also suffered burns.

Temple officials said the man who poured flammable liquid on the MP and set him on fire was disgruntled for not being selected to receive the hong bao.


- CNA/ms/sf