Heng had sudden stroke due to aneurysm; Tharman to cover his duties
Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat was admitted to Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Photo: Jason Quah
SINGAPORE – Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat is under intensive care at Tan Tock Seng Hospital after an operation to close an aneurysm that caused him to have a sudden stroke on Thursday afternoon (May 12), said the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
In a separate statement, the PMO added that Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam will be covering Mr Heng's duties as Finance Minister with immediate effect.
Mr Heng collapsed at about 5.34pm on Thursday during a Cabinet meeting. Three Cabinet members who were doctors successfully resuscitated the 54-year-old before an ambulance took him to the Tan Tock Seng Hospital for treatment. A CT scan found that he had suffered a stroke.
“Mr Heng had a sudden stroke due to an aneurysm, which is a localised weakening of a blood vessel,” the PMO said. “He underwent initial neurosurgery to relieve pressure in his brain due to the bleeding. The aneurysm was successfully closed.”
Many politicians from the People’s Action Party and the Opposition, as well as members of the public, have taken to social media to wish Mr Heng a speedy recovery.
