“I hope the Chinese community will support the constitutional changes we may propose, so that if we have a good minority presidential candidate, he can become the president, and represent all Singaporeans”, said Lee in his National Day Rally on Sunday, a traditional address on economic, policies and politics, delivered after the National Day. The last time I did this I was on the parade square in Safti, I fainted.
Advertisement
“But what I will remember most about Mr Nathan was his warmth and authenticity”.
Lee went for a full medical check-up following his speech.
The speech took a dramatic turn when the 64-year-old prime minister was briefly forced from the podium by sudden illness, blamed on dehydration and overheating.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong called the former president “a true son of Singapore” and “an inspiration” to everyone, in a condolence letter to Mrs Nathan. “Get well soon”, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong via Twitter account late Sunday.
Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam said Sunday night Lee was “perfectly normal” and in good shape, and was just worn out by a recently hectic schedule.
“He’s been having a very tough schedule, he’s been standing for some time so he’s just feeling a little faint”, Tharman said.
Finance Minister Heng, who took over the finance job from Mr Shanmugaratnam past year and is regarded as a possible successor for Mr Lee, suffered a stroke during a cabinet meeting in May and spent weeks at the hospital.
Before his collapse, the Prime Minister was talking about the pending changes to the Elected Presidency.
Exemplifying the Singapore story, the ups and downs of Mr Nathan’s life showed that one can succeed as long as one perseveres in the face of setbacks.
The prime minister plans to resume his speech after resting, reported Channel News Asia, citing the country’s deputy prime minister. “Neither can I sufficiently express my gratitude to you as a mentor”.
He later headed to Singapore General Hospital (SGH) for the check-up.
In early 2015, Lee was diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer.
A state funeral service will take place from 4:00 PM on Friday at the University Cultural Centre of the National University of Singapore, it said in a statement.
Singapore’s President Tony Tan Keng Yam updated his Facebook on Monday, saying he had spoken with Lee Monday afternoon.
Advertisement
Singapore leaders have conveyed their condolences after hearing Singapore former president Mr SR Nathan’s decease Monday night.
