MP Seng Han Thong's Family Breaks Silence

This article appeared in THE STRAITS TIMES on 14 January 2009:

Sight is shocking
By Aaron Low and Jermyn Chow

Breaking their silence for the first time after Sunday's attack on Yio Chu Kang MP Seng Han Thong, his family on Wednesday issued a statement to the media to express their thanks and appreciation to all who have shown care and concern to him since he was hospitalised.

The statement, issued by Mrs Seng and family, also touched on how they are coping with the 'despair and extreme stress' following what they described as 'an unfortunate incident'.

Voicing their pain, the statement said: 'We are struggling with reality. The sight of our loved one, who is so full of life and now lying in great pain, unable to speak, immobilised, hooked to a respirator and an array of medical equipment, is so shocking.

'We, and especially his mother's pain, are beyond any description and imagination.'

The family expressed gratitude to the medical team at the Singapore General Hospital, where Mr Seng, 59, is recovering, for their 'dedicated attention and professional care.'

'Their support and words of encouragement have greatly assisted us to cope with the despair and extreme stress that we are all undergoing,' they added.

The family also thanked the Yio Chu Kang grassroots leaders, and others 'who continue to lend support and care tirelessly round the clock during these difficult times.'

President SR Nathan was among the latest to visit Mr Seng in hospital on Wednesday. Over the last few days, a stream of Cabinet ministers, including Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, current and former MPs, NTUC union members and members of the public have dropped in to see the MP.

According to Dr Colin Song, head of SGH's Department of Plastic Reconstrcutive and Aesthetic Surgery, Mr Seng suffered 14 per cent burns after an ex-cabby poured thinner on him and set him alight at a grassroots event at the Yio Chu Kang community club on Sunday.

Mr Seng and Mr Aw Chui Seng, the chairman of Chu Sheng Temple, 69, who also suffered burns when he tried to beat out the flames on the MP's body, both underwent skin grafting at SGH on Monday morning.

Mr Aw is in a normal ward at SGH and is recovering well, said his wife and daughter.

Dr Song told reporters on Wednesday afternoon that Mr Seng is making progress and is in a stable condition.

Labour chief Lim Swee Say, who visited Mr Seng on Monday, told reporters at an NTUC event on Wednesday that he could not recognise the injured MP when he saw him in the intensive care unit.

'I felt sad... and couldn't recognise him because he was suffering from very severe swelling and was under heavy sedation,' he said.

'It's a very cruel and senseless act. At the end of the day, we will leave it to the court of law. We are a nation ruled by law so it is not for us to make a judgement. But as far as MPs are concerned, whether we are ministers or MPs on the ground, we are here to serve members of the public.'

On why ministers and MPs would not be deterred by Sunday's incident, Mr Lim said ministers and MPs come into contact with many residents in their line of duty, and will always try their best to help them.

'In some cases, they could not get what they want but they are grateful. But in some cases, they get angry when they do not get what they want,' said Mr Lim.

'But we treat it as part of our duty. As we go through this downturn, more workers, more residents will be affected by the downturn. In fact, MPs will have to go to the ground even more, walk the ground even more, do even more Meet-the-people sessions.

'We are not going to let such as isolated incident affect us because we cannot afford to let it affect us. Because at the end of the day, we must continue to be people-centric and community-centric. So we do our best, make ourselves accessible, continue to reaching out. I think that is the only way we can ensure that Singapore can get through this downturn, hopefully, with minimal impact.'

The man who allegedly attacked Mr Seng was charged in court on Monday with two counts of causing grievous hurt.

Ong Kah Chua, 70, who is blind in the left eye, has been remanded at the Institute of Mental Health for psychiatric examination.

He is due to appear in court again on Jan 23. He can be jailed for life, if convicted.