Singapore's PM Lee on medical leave, to resume duties on Aug 29 (Updated)

SINGAPORE Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is on medical leave and will resume his duties on Aug 29, prompting the postponement of an official visit to Indonesia.

"On the advice of doctors, the Prime Minister will be on medical leave and will resume his duties on Monday 29 August 2016," said the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in a release issued on Monday afternoon. "Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean will cover the duties of the Prime Minister in his absence."

This comes after Mr Lee had taken ill while delivering the National Day Rally on Sunday night. The speech was suspended for about an hour. Mr Lee then returned on stage to finish delivering the speech. He was then sent to Singapore General Hospital.

Said Mr Lee in a Facebook post on Monday: "My heartfelt thanks to all of you for your concern and good wishes. I'm sorry I didn't have the chance to meet you all after the Rally, as I went straight to the Singapore General Hospital for a thorough checkup."

Mr Lee had mentioned in his speech that he would be visiting Semarang in Central Java, Indonesia on Thursday for a leaders' retreat with Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

Doctors had advised that Mr Lee be on medical leave.

Mr Lee had "underwent a series of checks at Singapore General Hospital last night and this morning", said PMO in the Monday release.

"The Prime Minister had taken ill during the National Day Rally due to a temporary drop in blood pressure, due to prolonged standing, exhaustion, and dehydration.

"Doctors have confirmed there were no cardiac abnormalities and no stroke."

Amendment note: This article has been updated to include a quote from Mr Lee's Facebook post on Monday.