RESTING: Mr Chiam is said to have suffered a mild stroke and was hospitalised briefly.

It was that of Mr Chiam See Tong (Potong Pasir), a teacher- turned-lawyer who has been speaking on education issues for many years.

A mild stroke has deterred him from speaking in Parliament last week and this, sources say.

Had he been well, he would have raised 10 issues during the nine-day debate, as indicated in the Order Paper for the sitting. One of these was a plea for more schools for special needs children.

But the secretary-general of the Singapore People's Party (SPP) has so far missed most of the debate, which began last Monday and is expected to wrap up tomorrow.

Sources told The Straits Times that Mr Chiam, who turns 73 next Wednesday, suffered a minor stroke over two weeks ago and was warded briefly at the National University Hospital.

His wife, Mrs Lina Chiam, declined to confirm this. She however refused requests by reporters to be allowed to talk with Mr Chiam, saying that 'he's resting now, so he can't talk to you'.

Mr Chiam is still attending the weekly Meet-The-People sessions for his Potong Pasir ward, she insisted.

The Straits Times understands that Mr Chiam attended the Anglo-Chinese School's annual Founder's Day dinner last Saturday.

Mr Chiam, who completed his A levels at ACS, was the guest-of-honour during the event at a Suntec City ballroom.

A source who was present said he appeared frail and was helped up and down the stage.

He gave out awards to students, but made no speech.

Said the source: 'He appeared subdued and didn't walk around to chat with other guests, like he would usually do.'

A parliamentary spokesman said in an e-mail reply that Mr Chiam obtained two weeks' leave of absence for the current Parliament sitting.

But Mrs Chiam pointed out that her husband did attend the sitting briefly last Thursday.

Dr Lim Wee Kiak (Sembawang GRC) and Mr Chan Soo Sen (Joo Chiat), who sit close to Mr Chiam in the Parliament chambers, said they saw him then. But he was not slated to speak that day.

Dr Lim said he and several MPs later spoke to Mr Chiam during the afternoon break.

Said Dr Lim: 'I heard that he has been unwell and was recently in hospital. I didn't know what the illness was.

'Several MPs and I went up to Mr Chiam and asked him about his health. He said he was getting better.'

If Mr Chiam had been well enough to speak, among the other issues he would have raised were maid levies, HDB lift upgrading, and health caregivers.

Mr Desmond Lim, the SPP's assistant secretary-general, said the party may raise these issues at next month's Parliament sitting.

Mr Sitoh Yih Pin, the People's Action Party challenger who lost to Mr Chiam in the last two elections, said he had delivered a fruit basket personally to Mr Chiam and wished him a speedy recovery.