Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his wife Ho Ching, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng and Senior Minister of State Sadasivan Balaji were among a string of Ministers and MPs who visited Mr Seng at the hospital. -- ST PHOTO: LAU FOOK KONG
WHILE MPs can take precautions against mischief-makers, they must remain accessible to their residents and approachable, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, after visiting injured MP Seng Han Thong in hospital on Sunday.
Calling the attack on the Yio Chu Kang MP a 'most unfortunate' incident, Mr Lee urged MPs to be careful about their own security when they carry out their public duties but said they 'have to be accessible' and 'be in contact' with their constituents.
He told reporters after visiting Mr Seng at the Intensive Care Unit at the Singapore General Hospital: 'This is a most unfortunate incident.
'Fortunately, his eyes are okay, although his face is burnt, as well as his arm and chest.
'The doctors are taking care of him... he's getting the best treatment possible.'
Asked if tighter security for MPs was called for in the wake of the attack, PM Lee said: 'MPs have to be accessible. They have to go round and meet residents. They have to be in contact with the people. But they have to take precautions.'
Mr Lee said since the July 2006 assault on Mr Seng by a cabby, Yio Chu Kang grassroots leaders have taken exceptional precautions and always stay close to the MP when he is attending constituency events.
'Despite the precautions, this chap managed to slip through,' said PM Lee, who assured residents in the constituency that they would continue to be well-looked after while Mr Seng is recovering.
'I told Han Thong to get well, and to focus and concentrate on looking after himself and we will take care of Yio Chu Kang,' added PM Lee, who visited the MP with his wife Ho Ching.
Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng, who is also the Home Affairs Minister, called the attack 'violent' and 'totally unexpected'.
He said the incident will be thoroughly investigated and the mischief-maker will be 'severely dealt with according to the law'.
'This is indeed a violent and serious act, and totally unexpected,' he told reporter, after visiting Mr Seng in hospital.
Mr Wong said that 'it would be difficult to avoid' such an attack even if precautions were taken.
'You don't expect somebody to throw something at you from the back,' he said, adding: 'From time to time, there will be mischief makers and those who want to cause trouble.'
On the attacker's action, Mr Wong said: 'No matter what the rationale is, and whatever the condition the man is in, there is no reason to commit such an act against anyone, especially an MP.
'MPs are public figures, elected by the people and they have a service to perform. They have to be accessible to the people and approachable to them.'
On whether security for MPs would be stepped up, Mr Wong said: 'We do not set up a major security operation every an MP is out doing his job.
