Heng Swee Keat remains in ICU, DPM Tharman to cover as Finance Minister

FINANCE Minister Heng Swee Keat remains under intensive care, and Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam will be covering the duties of the Minister for Finance with immediate effect, said the Prime Minister's Office.

In a statement issued at 11.30pm on Thursday night, the PMO said that Mr Heng had a sudden stroke due to an aneurysm, which is a localised weakening of a blood vessel.

He underwent initial neurosurgery to relieve pressure in his brain due to the bleeding. The aneurysm was successfully closed.

"Mr Heng will remain under close monitoring in the intensive care unit of Tan Tock Seng Hospital," said the PMO.

Mr Heng, 54, had suffered a stroke and collapsed at a weekly Cabinet meeting on Thursday afternoon.