Heng Swee Keat now lucid and communicative: PM Lee

AFTER undergoing brain surgery two weeks ago, Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat is now lucid and communicative.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong revealed in a Facebook post that he had visited Mr Heng on Monday evening, and was "delighted to find him recovering well, and making steady progress".

"He was fully lucid, communicative, and cheerful," wrote PM Lee.

This latest update comes after Mr Heng was hospitalised on May 12 after succumbing to a stroke. It was caused by an aneurysm, which is a localised weakening of a blood vessel, the Prime Minister's Office had said. Mr Heng then underwent surgery to close the aneurysm.

Two days later, PM Lee said that Mr Heng was in stable condition, but would remain under intensive care for some time.

Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam was then roped in to help cover the duties of Finance Minister, while Minister for Industry S Iswaran was made co-chair of the Committee on the Future Economy, a high-level panel tasked with charting Singapore's next phase of economic transition.

Arrangements were also made to cover Mr Heng's duties in Tampines GRC, of which Mr Heng is a Member of Parliament.

"I told him we had made arrangements to look after his residents in Tampines while he recuperates. He gave me two thumbs up," wrote PM Lee on Monday.

"Swee Keat wants to thank everyone for their support. He especially sends his greetings and best wishes to his Tampines residents and volunteers, who have been asking after him," PM Lee added.